A novel pathway links telomeres to NK-cell activity

Abstract

Here, we describe a model in which telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 (TERF2) can control tumorigenesis not only via cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms but also via non-cancer cell autonomous pathways. Indeed, we have recently shown that TERF2 regulates tissue homeostasis as it promotes the elimination of aged, damaged, and neoplastic cells by the immune system, opening the way to new therapeutic options against cancer.

Keywords: :

• immunosurveillance
• NK cells
• telomeres
• TERF2
• tumorigenesis

Citation: Cherfils-Vicini J, Zizza P, Gilson E, Biroccio A. A novel pathway links telomeres to NK-cell activity: Implications for immunotherapy. OncoImmunology 2013; 2:e27358; 10.4161/onci.27358

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Acknowledgments

The work in EG lab is supported by the Ligue National contre le cancer (the “Équipe Labellisée” program), Agence Nationale de la Recherche (program Innatelo) and the Institut National du cancer (program TELOCHROM). The work in AB lab was supported by grants from the Italian Association for Cancer Research (A.I.R.C., # 11567). We thank professor Angela Santoni from University of Rome “La Sapienza” for critical reading of the manuscript.