Editing Experimental cancer treatment (section)

==Telomerase deactivation therapy==
Because most malignant cells rely on the activity of the protein [[telomerase]] for their immortality, it has been proposed that a drug that inactivates telomerase might be effective against a broad spectrum of malignancies. At the same time, most healthy tissues in the body express little if any telomerase, and would function normally in its absence. Currently, [[inositol hexaphosphate]], which is available over-the-counter, is undergoing testing in cancer research due to its telomerase-inhibiting abilities.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jagadeesh S, Banerjee PP | title = Inositol hexaphosphate represses telomerase activity and translocates TERT from the nucleus in mouse and human prostate cancer cells via the deactivation of Akt and PKCalpha | journal = Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications | volume = 349 | issue = 4 | pages = 1361–7 | date = November 2006 | pmid = 16979586 | doi = 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.09.002 }}</ref>

A number of research groups have experimented with the use of [[telomerase inhibitor]]s in [[animal model]]s, and as of 2005 and 2006 phase I and II [[Clinical trial|human clinical trials]] are underway. [[Geron Corporation]] is currently conducting two clinical trials involving telomerase inhibitors. One uses a vaccine ([[GRNVAC1]]) and the other uses a lipidated oligonucleotide ([[Imetelstat|GRN163L]]).