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Telomerase, a specialised RNA-directed DNA polymerase extends and stabilises the telomeres at the ends of the eukaryotic chromosomes. The progressive loss of telomeres results in limited number of cell divisions and has been linked to the mechanism of human cellular ageing. Tumour cells marked by indefinite proliferation have stable telomere length maintained by telomerase. The differential expression of the telomerase enzyme in normal and cancer cells have led to the evolution of tumour specific anti-telomerase approaches which inhibit the telomerase enzyme activity so as to destabilise and shorten the telomeres leading to senescence in cancer cells. In the current review, we have selected nine tumour specific anti-telomerase approaches based on their mechanism of action or the target components of the human telomerase enzyme: Antisense-oligonucleotides, hammerhead ribozymes, dominant negative hTERT, reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, immunotherapy, G-quadruplex stabilisers, gene therapy, small molecule inhibitors and RNA interference. Recent research developments for each of the anti-telomerase approaches with the detailed analysis of specific granted patents from the perspective of different claims and downstream applications have been provided. A comprehensive list of patents for the different anti-telomerase approaches which includes information regarding the authors and institutional ownership along with the year of issue of the patent has also been provided.

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Amyloid beta is a major constituent of the plaques found in the brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD). A growing body of research work suggests that neuroinflammation plays important roles in the development of AD. Thus, considerable efforts are directed towards identification of compounds that can reduce or inhibit neuroinflammation. Here, we show that sinomenine, a compound present in a Chinese medicinal plant, Sinomenium acutum, inhibits oligomeric amyloid beta-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and inflammation-related molecules from astrocytic cells. The conditioned medium from oligomeric amyloid beta-treated astrocytic cells induces cell death in the hippocampal neuronal cells. Importantly, sinomenine inhibits this cell death. In addition, this compound has inhibitory effects on the production of ROS, NO and inflammationrelated factors from oligomeric amyloid-beta treated human astrocytes. Finally, the conditioned medium from oligomeric amyloid beta-treated human astrocytes induces cell death in the primary culture of human neurons, which is inhibited by sinomenine. Thus, sinomenine inhibits amyloid beta-induced production of toxic factors from astrocytes, and confers protection to hippocampal neuronal cells as well as human neurons against indirect toxicity. The results suggest that this compound could provide beneficial effects in AD and other neurodegenerative conditions by reducing inflammation and neuronal cell death.