Telomere Therapy: An Alternative to Human Embryonic Stem Cells?

A novel approach to treatment of severe diseases ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer combines telomere and Notch-1 therapy, and eliminates the need for controversial human embryonic stem cells.

Telomeres are proteins that function like caps on the ends of chromosomes and ensure successful DNA replication when a cell divides. However, every time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten and eventually become exhausted. In general, aging cells become progressively less able to form and maintain tissue. This dysfunction plays a key role in a variety of presently incurable age-associated diseases such as macular degeneration, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, skin atrophy, progeria, and others.

The Notch signaling pathway is important for cell-cell communication, which involve gene regulation mechanisms that control multiple cell differentiation processes during embryonic and adult life. In addition to regulating embryonic tissue development, Notch signaling also controls fetal and postnatal tissue development, as well as the development and maturation of adult tissues. Thus, precisely controlled Notch signaling is vital to the proper development of most tissues. Accordingly, perturbation of Notch signaling can manifest as tissue abnormalities ultimately leading to disease states such as cancer.

The biotechnology company Telomolecular (Rancho Cordova, CA, USA) is employing advanced nanotechnology to combine telomere and Notch-1 therapy. This treatment has been reported to regenerate exhausted tissues comprehensively rather than the stem cell approach that just grows new tissue in the presence of old. This results in a significantly lower chance of growing cancerous and abnormal cells.

"By combining telomere therapy with Notch 1 therapy, we can accomplish everything that stem cell therapy can,” said Telomolecular CEO Matthew A. Sarad. "Plus these technologies can be administered in sensible, non-invasive ways.”


Related Links:
Telomolecular