RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Telomere Length and Hematological Disorders: A Review JF In Vivo JO In Vivo FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 3093 OP 3101 DO 10.21873/invivo.12142 VO 34 IS 6 A1 BEATRIZ MARIA DIAS NOGUEIRA A1 CAIO BEZERRA MACHADO A1 RAQUEL CARVALHO MONTENEGRO A1 MARIA ELISABETE AMARAL DE MORAES A1 CAROLINE AQUINO MOREIRA-NUNES YR 2020 UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/34/6/3093.abstract AB Telomeres compose the end portions of human chromosomes, and their main function is to protect the genome. In hematological disorders, telomeres are shortened, predisposing to genetic instability that may cause DNA damage and chromosomal rearrangements, inducing a poor clinical outcome. Studies from 2010 to 2019 were compiled and experimental studies using samples of patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies that reported the size of the telomeres were described. Abnormal telomere shortening is described in cancer, but in hematological neoplasms, telomeres are still shortened even after telomerase reactivation. In this study, we compared the sizes of telomeres in leukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome and lymphomas, identifying that the smallest telomeres are present in patients at relapse. In conclusion, the experimental and clinical data analyzed in this review demonstrate that excessive telomere shortening is present in major hematological malignancies and its analysis and measurement is a crucial step in determining patient prognosis, predicting disease risk and assisting in the decision for targeted therapeutic strategies.