Objective: To investigate the correlation between the expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) and the proliferation and differentiation of retinoblastoma (RB).
Methods: In 37 RB specimens, the expression of hTR and hTRT was investigated with the methods of in situ hybridization (ISH). Immunohistochemical method was performed to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in RB. All data were analyzed statistically with SPSS.
Results: Of 37 RB specimens, positive expression of hTR and hTRT was 83.8% and 89.2%, respectively, while negative results were observed in 2 normal retina tissues. The expressions of hTR and hTRT showed a close correlation to the proliferation and differentiation of RB. Furthermore, there was a close correlation among the expression of hTR and hTRT.
Conclusions: These results suggest that higher expression of hTRT and hTR may be used as new parameters for evaluating the degree of malignancy of RB. The close correlation between the expression of hTR and hTRT and proliferation and differentiation degrees of RB indicats that the expression of telomerase can influence the proliferation and differentiation of RB. Because the telomerase is presented in the Rb, therefore, modulating the telomerase activity may be used as a novel treatment for the RB.