Gallicchio L, et al. - Researchers tested the hypothesis that cancer treatments cause accelerated aging through a mechanism involving the shortening of telomeres. For this purpose, they analyzed epidemiological evidence assessing the links between cancer treatment and changes in telomere length via a systematic review. This review included 25 studies, of which, 10 were solid cancer studies, 11 were hematological malignancy studies, and 4 included a mixed sample of both solid and hematological cancers. By cancer type and treatment as well as other factors, telomere length may be variably influenced by cancer treatment.

Methods

• Researchers searched PubMed for the period of January 1966 through November 2016 using the following search strategy: telomere AND (cancer OR tumor OR carcinoma OR neoplasm) AND (survivor OR patient).
• They extracted data and evaluated the quality of studies.

Results

• This review included a total of 25 studies; including 10 solid cancer studies, 11 hematological malignancy studies, and 4 with a mixed sample of both solid and hematological cancers.
• A statistically significant link between cancer treatment and telomere length shortening was suggested in 3 of the 10 solid tumor studies, and one reported longer telomere length after treatment.
• Among the hematological cancer studies, statistically significant decreases in telomere length with treatment was demonstrated in 3 studies, and two showed elongation.
• This analysis involved mostly moderate quality studies, when rated using quality criteria.