Role of Telomere in Different Hematological Diseases

Abstract

Background: Chromosomal integrity is essential for normal cellular function and organismal survival. Telomeres serve as protective caps that prevent chromosome ends from being recognized as DNA damage, thereby inhibiting inappropriate repair mechanisms and chromosomal fusions. Since their discovery, telomeres and telomerase have emerged as central players in aging biology and cancer research. Landmark discoveries in this field have demonstrated that telomere shortening acts as a molecular clock limiting cellular replicative capacity, while telomerase reactivation enables cellular immortality in malignant cells. Understanding telomere biology has therefore become increasingly relevant for both basic research and clinical practice.