Cancer cells often reactivate telomerase, primarily through the upregulation of the TERT gene. This reactivation allows for continuous cell division, a hallmark of cancer cells. It is estimated that about 90% of cancers exhibit telomerase activity. Mutations and promoter mutations in the TERT gene can lead to its overexpression, contributing to tumorigenesis. These mutations can create binding sites for transcription factors that increase the gene's activity, thus enhancing telomerase production.
