Understanding APBs is critical for cancer research because they are directly involved in the ALT pathway, a key mechanism used by various aggressive cancers to maintain their telomeres. Targeting the components of APBs could offer new therapeutic strategies for treating ALT-positive cancers, which are often resistant to conventional therapies that target telomerase. Moreover, the unique presence of APBs in ALT-positive cells provides a potential biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring these cancers.
