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Biotech / Medical : Geron Corp.

GERN 1.150

-0.4%

12:19 PM EST

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To: Savant who wrote (3003)	12/14/2006 12:48:19 AM
From: tnsaf	of 3576

<<Cancer stem cells are distinct from regular stem cells. Cancer stem cells accumulate mutations that change gene expression and therefore can be targeted specifically by this drug.>> The drug does not target cancer stem cells; it affects all cells that express telomerase. <<I've read nothing so far, that would indicate the telomerase inhibition is harmful to non-cancerous cells.>> The first abstract states that some non-cancerous cells are affected by reduced telomerase activity. I don't know if GRN163L treatment would produce any of these affects (I'd guess it has a very low probability and would likely require a very long treatment time), but it should be kept in mind. Jason Data from our work and others' has shown that deficient telomerase activity has a negative impact on normal human physiology. In the bone marrow failure syndrome dyskeratosis congenita, telomerase enzyme deficiency leads to the premature shortening of telomeres. Premature telomere shortening most grievously affects tissues that have a rapid turnover, such as the hematopoietic and epithelial compartments. In the most severe cases, compromised renewal of hematopoietic stem cells leads to bone marrow failure and premature death.

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