What are Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) Pathways?
In some cancers, telomere maintenance occurs through ALT pathways, which are telomerase-independent mechanisms. ALT-positive cancers maintain telomeres through recombination-based processes that elongate telomeres. While less common than telomerase activation, ALT is observed in certain cancers, such as osteosarcomas and glioblastomas. Understanding ALT mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies for these cancers.
