This paper should be cited as: Asadi, J. Zarghami, N.
Detection
of Telomerase Activity in Breast Tissue of Breast Cancer Patients and Healthy
Individuals by the TRAP Assay
Asadi, J. (PhD)*1, Zarghami, N. (PhD)2
1.Assitant Professor of
Biochemistry, Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan
University of Medical Science, Gorgan, Iran
2.Professor of Biochemistry,
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz
University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Background and Objective:
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.
Telomerase enzyme is one of the major factors causing the development and
proliferation of immortal cells such as cancer cell. The aim of this study was
to evaluate telomerase activity in breast tissues of breast cancer patients and
healthy people.
Material and Methods: In
this descriptive study, the samples from 32 patients with malignant tumors and
from 24 with benign tumors or healthy individuals were obtained .To assess the
relative activity of telomerase in the samples, TRAP assay (PCR-ELISA) was
used.
Results: The
frequency of telomerase activity was 93.75% in patients and 8% in healthy
people.
Conclusion: The
results indicate that the relative activity of telomerase in tumor tissues
measured by TRAP assay could be a suitable biomarker for identifying the breast
cancer tissue.
Keywords: TRAP
Assay; breast cancer; telomerase
Corresponding Author:Asadi, J.
Email: Ja_asadi52@yahoo.com
Received:
27 Jul 2012
Revised: 28 Oct 2012
Accepted: 29 Oct 2012