Despite its potential, targeting telomerase in cancer therapy faces several challenges:
Specificity: Ensuring that telomerase inhibitors specifically target cancer cells without affecting normal stem cells and germ cells, which also exhibit high telomerase activity, is crucial. Resistance: Cancer cells may develop resistance to telomerase inhibitors, necessitating combination therapies. Side Effects: Prolonged inhibition of telomerase could potentially lead to adverse effects on normal tissues that require telomerase for regeneration.
