System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 42317265 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2026.1797677

Telomere-driven dysfunctional changes in gynecological cancers: mechanistic insights, biomarker potential, and therapeutic targeting.

Front Cell Dev Biol 14:1797677

Authors: Olaolu Ayoade Afolabi, Timileyin Abdul-Mumeen Alade, Kehinde Samuel Olaniyi, Mary Oluwalewa Adeyemi, Seun Oladepo, Joshua Oluwasola Gbadero, Marvelous Dasola Oyedokun, Sola Babatunde Olayemi, Blessing Monica Akindele, Ayoola Abimbola Oladipo, Cecelia Adedeji Adegbola, Onome Bright Oghenetega, Sidiquot Yetunde Akinsanya, John Sotunsa, Olajumoke Deborah Ogunleye, Abiodun Shukurat Lasisi-Sholola, Victor Pelumi Owolabi, Oluwatobi Adewale, James Adewale, Deborah Adeola Oke, Habeeb Adelani Abdur-Rahman, Precious Adeoye Oyedokun

Affiliations

  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun, Nigeria.
  • Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, Osun, Nigeria.
  • Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Axon Plus Research Consortium, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Physiology, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria.
  • Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Nursing Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Physiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria.
  • Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Fountain University, Osogbo, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Benjamin Carson (SNR) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisha Remo, Ogun, Nigeria.
  • Gullas College of Medicine, University of Visayas, Cebu, Philippines.
  • Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
  • Department of Physiology, Redeemers University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria.
  • Department of Anatomy, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria.

Abstract

Telomeres are major determinants of chromosome integrity, and when poorly regulated, they have been shown to contribute critically to malignant transformation. However, in gynaecological malignancies, telomeres are interpreted inconsistently and have yet to be smoothly incorporated into diverse disease types. The review incorporates the existing evidence of the relationship between telomere dysfunction and the evolution of cervical, ovarian, endometrial, vulvar, and vaginal cancer. The review discusses the joint causes of telomere erosion, defective capping, defective integrity, and dysregulated telomerase activity in gynaecological cancer development, and the ensuing genomic instability, disruption in tissue homeostasis, inflammation, immune evasion, clonal evolution, and changes in individual organ physiology. According to this integrative framework, there are common and cancer-specific processes, new biomarkers for telomere maintenance, and therapeutic prospects focused on telomere maintenance pathways. The development of standardized, longitudinal methodologies will be key to translating telomere biology into clinically actionable approaches in gynaecological oncology.

MeSH

Neoplasms, Telomerase, Biomarkers, Maintenance, Genomic Instability, Therapeutics, Telomere