Telomere Biology

The framework connects fluctuation theory to telomere biology by treating senescence bypass as telomerase activation or another immortalization route. The modeled escape mutation is interpreted as emergence of a telomerase-positive or otherwise immortalized mutant clone. Escape from replicative senescence often occurs through telomerase activation or less commonly through alternative lengthening of telomeres. The timing of telomerase activation varies by cancer type. About 10% of human cancers maintain telomeres through ALT. About 90% of human cancers maintain telomeres through telomerase expression.