Question

Is telomere research the answer to cancer curing technologies in the future? Also could telomere research potentially expand human lifespans to a significant degree?

Answer 1

Highly speculative, but it is a potential. Cancer and telomere decay probably have some correlation, but it is unlikely they're causal; tumor growth seems to be influenced by outside factors and so linking them one-to-one isn't prudent. On the other hand there is strong evidence that as the mylelin that comprises telomeres decays, aging occurs. Telomerase is the most probably candidate for exploration as it seems that it is responsible for managing the size of the telomeres after each DNA replication cycle.

Answer 2

cancer and telomeres - probably not THE answer. cancer is a family name of myriad of diseases with distinct pathophysiologies. P53, the most renowned tumor suppressor is active in only about 50% pf cancers (just a measure of cancer complexity)
just to sharpen: some leukemias are not about excessive cell divisions (and therefore the need to lengthen the telomere) but about lack of apoptosis.

telomeres and lifespan: not really. while some constantly dividing tissues may benefit. lets talk about the brain. most neurons from birth or early childhood and do not replicate. neurodegenerative diseases - alzheimer and parkinsons still cause significant morbidity and mortality (at later stages) with no apparent relation whatsoever for telomeres.

Answer 3

I work with telomeres at the MSU in Russia, and I can say, it is hokum. It looks promising, but actually cells begin to die until the telomere is stripped off, so it is probably a barier of higher ages...

Answer 4

And it is definatly not the cure for cancer, in no way :)