Spandidos Publications Logo
  • About
    • About Spandidos
    • Aims and Scopes
    • Abstracting and Indexing
    • Editorial Policies
    • Reprints and Permissions
    • Job Opportunities
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact
  • Journals
    • All Journals
    • Oncology Letters
      • Oncology Letters
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Oncology
      • International Journal of Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular and Clinical Oncology
      • Molecular and Clinical Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
      • Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Molecular Medicine
      • International Journal of Molecular Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Biomedical Reports
      • Biomedical Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Oncology Reports
      • Oncology Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular Medicine Reports
      • Molecular Medicine Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • World Academy of Sciences Journal
      • World Academy of Sciences Journal
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Functional Nutrition
      • International Journal of Functional Nutrition
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Epigenetics
      • International Journal of Epigenetics
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Medicine International
      • Medicine International
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
  • Articles
  • Information
    • Information for Authors
    • Information for Reviewers
    • Information for Librarians
    • Information for Advertisers
    • Conferences
  • Language Editing
Spandidos Publications Logo
  • About
    • About Spandidos
    • Aims and Scopes
    • Abstracting and Indexing
    • Editorial Policies
    • Reprints and Permissions
    • Job Opportunities
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact
  • Journals
    • All Journals
    • Biomedical Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Epigenetics
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Functional Nutrition
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Molecular Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Medicine International
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular and Clinical Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular Medicine Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Oncology Letters
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Oncology Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • World Academy of Sciences Journal
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
  • Articles
  • Information
    • For Authors
    • For Reviewers
    • For Librarians
    • For Advertisers
    • Conferences
  • Language Editing
Login Register Submit
  • This site uses cookies
  • You can change your cookie settings at any time by following the instructions in our Cookie Policy. To find out more, you may read our Privacy Policy.

    I agree
Search articles by DOI, keyword, author or affiliation
Search
Advanced Search
presentation
Oncology Letters
Join Editorial Board Propose a Special Issue
Print ISSN: 1792-1074 Online ISSN: 1792-1082
Journal Cover
August-2025 Volume 30 Issue 2

Full Size Image

Sign up for eToc alerts
Recommend to Library

Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease.

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment.

Molecular Medicine Reports

Molecular Medicine Reports

Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery.

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine.

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology.

Biomedical Reports

Biomedical Reports

Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis.

World Academy of Sciences Journal

World Academy of Sciences Journal

Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology.

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition.

International Journal of Epigenetics

International Journal of Epigenetics

Publishes open-access research on using epigenetics to advance understanding and treatment of human disease.

Medicine International

Medicine International

An International Open Access Journal Devoted to General Medicine.

Journal Cover
August-2025 Volume 30 Issue 2

Full Size Image

Sign up for eToc alerts
Recommend to Library

  • Article
  • Citations
    • Cite This Article
    • Download Citation
    • Create Citation Alert
    • Remove Citation Alert
    • Cited By
  • Similar Articles
    • Related Articles (in Spandidos Publications)
    • Similar Articles (Google Scholar)
    • Similar Articles (PubMed)
  • Download PDF
  • Download XML
  • View XML

  • Supplementary Files
    • Supplementary_Data1.pdf
    • Supplementary_Data2.pdf
Article Open Access

Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

  • Authors:
    • Dimitrios A. Andreikos
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
    Copyright: © Andreikos et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 395
    |
    Published online on: June 12, 2025
       https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15141
  • Expand metrics +
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Metrics: Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Cited By (CrossRef): 0 citations Loading Articles...

This article is mentioned in:



Abstract

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide, with its global incidence rising despite prevention efforts. Telomere length (TL) has emerged as a potential biomarker for cancer risk; however, its relationship with skin cancer risk remains incompletely understood. To explore the association between TL and the risk of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a systematic review and meta‑analysis was conducted. Longer TL was significantly associated with an increased risk in melanoma (pooled odds ratio: 0.51; 95% confidence interval: 0.38‑0.69; P<0.0001). A significant association between longer TL and increased melanoma risk was identified in both familial melanoma and the general population. Subgroup analyses revealed consistent associations across sex, population source and adjustments for confounding factors. Geographic stratification indicated stronger associations in studies conducted in the USA compared with those from European populations. A meta‑analysis of BCC and SCC studies did not achieve statistical significance, although qualitative synthesis suggested a potential association between shortened TL and increased risk. The significant association of longer TL and increased melanoma risk diverges from the conventional hypothesis that telomere shortening elevates cancer risk, highlighting a cancer‑type specific telomeric relationship. The inconclusive findings for BCC and SCC underscore the necessity for further detailed investigation. Large‑scale prospective studies with standardized methodologies are imperative to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms. The present findings suggested that TL could potentially serve as a valuable biomarker for melanoma risk stratification in dermatologic oncology. 
View Figures

Figure 1

Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram of the systematic
review and meta-analysis.

Figure 2

Forest plot of a meta-analysis
depicting the association between telomere length and melanoma risk
using a random-effects model. CI, confidence interval; FM, familial
melanoma; SM, sporadic melanoma; NHS, Nurses' Health Study; WHI-OS,
Women's Health Initiative Observational Study; HPFS, Health
Professionals Follow-up Study.

Figure 3

Forest plot of a meta-analysis
depicting the relationship between telomere length and basal cell
carcinoma risk based on a random-effects model. CI, confidence
interval; NHS, Nurses' Health Study.

Figure 4

Forest plot of a meta-analysis
depicting the association between telomere length and squamous cell
carcinoma risk using a random-effects model. CI, confidence
interval; HPFS, Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

Figure 5

Forest plot of a subgroup analysis
depicting the association between telomere length and melanoma risk
stratified by geographic location (USA vs. Europe) using a
random-effects model. CI, confidence interval; FM, familial
melanoma; SM, sporadic melanoma; WHI-OS, Women's Health Initiative
Observational Study; HPFS, Health Professionals Follow-up
Study.

Figure 6

Forest plot of a subgroup analysis
depicting the association between telomere length and melanoma risk
stratified by sex (female-only vs. mixed-sex studies) using a
random-effects model. CI, confidence interval; FM, familial
melanoma; SM, sporadic melanoma; WHI-OS, Women's Health Initiative
Observational Study.

Figure 7

Forest plot of a subgroup analysis
depicting the association between telomere length and melanoma risk
stratified by genetic predisposition (familial vs. general
population studies) using a random-effects model. CI, confidence
interval; FM, familial melanoma; SM, sporadic melanoma; WHI-OS,
Women's Health Initiative Observational Study; HPFS, Health
Professionals Follow-up Study.

Figure 8

Forest plot of a subgroup analysis
depicting the association between telomere length and melanoma risk
stratified by population source (hospital-based vs.
population-based studies) using a random-effects model. CI,
confidence interval; FM, familial melanoma; SM, sporadic melanoma;
WHI-OS, Women's Health Initiative Observational Study; HPFS, Health
Professionals Follow-up Study.

Figure 9

Forest plot of a subgroup analysis
depicting the association between telomere length and melanoma risk
stratified by adjustment level (melanoma-specific vs. general
adjustments) using a random-effects model. CI, confidence interval;
FM, familial melanoma; SM, sporadic melanoma; WHI-OS, Women's
Health Initiative Observational Study; HPFS, Health Professionals
Follow-up Study.

Figure 10

Funnel plot of studies included in
the melanoma meta-analysis.

Figure 11

Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis
for the association between telomere length and melanoma risk. OR,
odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; FM, familial melanoma; SM,
sporadic melanoma; NHS, Nurses' Health Study; WHI-OS, Women's
Health Initiative Observational Study; HPFS, Health Professionals
Follow-up Study.

Figure 12

Telomere dynamics in melanoma
tumourigenesis. Schematic diagram illustrating a potential
mechanism underlying the protective effect of shorter telomeres in
melanoma. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation induces mutations in
melanocytes, particularly in individuals with familial melanoma or
those harbouring predisposing mutations. Mutated melanocytes with
shorter telomeres have a restricted proliferative capacity,
limiting their potential for malignancy. Mutated melanocytes with
long telomeres exhibit an increased proliferative lifespan,
allowing for the accumulation of additional mutations, which may be
corollary to melanoma development. Elements of the figure were
created using components from Servier Medical Art. Servier Medical
Art by Servier is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
View References

1 

Apalla Z, Nashan D, Weller RB and Castellsagué X: Skin cancer: Epidemiology, disease burden, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 7 (Suppl 1):S5–S19. 2017. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

2 

Lomas A, Leonardi-Bee J and Bath-Hextall F: A systematic review of worldwide incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Br J Dermatol. 166:1069–1080. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

3 

Smith H, Wernham A and Patel A: When to suspect a non-melanoma skin cancer. BMJ. 368:m6922020. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

4 

Grabowski J, Saltzstein SL, Sadler GR, Tahir Z and Blair S: A Comparison of merkel cell carcinoma and melanoma: Results from the California cancer registry. Clin Med Oncol. 2:327–333. 2008.PubMed/NCBI

5 

Yanofsky VR, Mercer SE and Phelps RG: Histopathological variants of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A review. J Skin Cancer. 2011:2108132011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

6 

Wong CSM: Basal cell carcinoma. BMJ. 327:794–798. 2003. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

7 

Peterson SC, Eberl M, Vagnozzi AN, Belkadi A, Veniaminova NA, Verhaegen ME, Bichakjian CK, Ward NL, Dlugosz AA and Wong SY: Basal cell carcinoma preferentially arises from stem cells within hair follicle and mechanosensory niches. Cell Stem Cell. 16:400–412. 2015. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

8 

Kim RH and Armstrong AW: Nonmelanoma skin cancer. Dermatol Clin. 30:125–139. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

9 

Motley R, Kersey P and Lawrence C; British Association of Dermatologists; British Association of Plastic Surgeons; Royal College of Radiologists, Faculty of Clinical Oncology, : Multiprofessional guidelines for the management of the patient with primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Br J Dermatol. 146:18–25. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

10 

Preston DS and Stern RS: Nonmelanoma cancers of the Skin. N Engl J Med. 327:1649–1662. 1992. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

11 

Miller DL and Weinstock MA: Nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States: Incidence. J Am Acad Dermatol. 30:774–778. 1994. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

12 

Gloster HM and Brodland DG: The epidemiology of skin cancer. Dermatol Surg. 22:217–326. 1996. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

13 

Revenga Arranz F, Paricio Rubio J, Mar Vázquez Salvado M and Del Villar Sordo V: Descriptive epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in Soria (north-eastern Spain) 1998–2000: A hospital-based survey. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 18:137–141. 2004. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

14 

De Vries E, Trakatelli M, Kalabalikis D, Ferrandiz L, Ruiz-de-Casas A, Moreno-Ramirez D, Sotiriadis D, Ioannides D, Aquilina S, Apap C, et al: Known and potential new risk factors for skin cancer in European populations: A multicentre case-control study: Risk factors for skin cancer in European populations. Br J Dermatol. 167 (Suppl 2):S1–S13. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar

15 

Fargnoli MC, Piccioni A, Neri L, Tambone S, Pellegrini C and Peris K: Long-term efficacy and safety of daylight photodynamic therapy with methyl amninolevulinate for actinic keratosis of the face and scalp. Eur J Dermatol. 27:89–91. 2017. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

16 

Alam M and Ratner D: Cutaneous Squamous-cell carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 344:975–983. 2001. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

17 

Braeuer RR, Watson IR, Wu C, Mobley AK, Kamiya T, Shoshan E and Bar-Eli M: Why is melanoma so metastatic? Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 27:19–36. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

18 

Cust AE, Armstrong BK, Goumas C, Jenkins MA, Schmid H, Hopper JL, Kefford RF, Giles GG, Aitken JF and Mann GJ: Sunbed use during adolescence and early adulthood is associated with increased risk of early-onset melanoma. Int J Cancer. 128:2425–2435. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

19 

Arnold M, De Vries E, Whiteman DC, Jemal A, Bray F, Parkin DM and Soerjomataram I: Global burden of cutaneous melanoma attributable to ultraviolet radiation in 2012. Int J Cancer. 143:1305–1314. 2018. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

20 

Elder DE, Bastian BC, Cree IA, Massi D and Scolyer RA: The 2018 World Health Organization classification of cutaneous, mucosal, and uveal melanoma: Detailed analysis of 9 distinct subtypes defined by their evolutionary pathway. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 144:500–522. 2020. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

21 

Gandini S, Sera F, Cattaruzza MS, Pasquini P, Picconi O, Boyle P and Melchi CF: Meta-analysis of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: II. Sun exposure. Eur J Cancer. 41:45–60. 2005. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

22 

Rastrelli M, Tropea S, Rossi CR and Alaibac M: Melanoma: Epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis and classification. In Vivo. 28:1005–1011. 2014.PubMed/NCBI

23 

Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Dikshit R, Eser S, Mathers C, Rebelo M, Parkin DM, Forman D and Bray F: Cancer incidence and mortality worldwide: Sources, methods and major patterns in GLOBOCAN 2012. Int J Cancer. 136:E359–E86. 2015. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

24 

Chang C, Murzaku EC, Penn L, Abbasi NR, Davis PD, Berwick M and Polsky D: More skin, more sun, more tan, more melanoma. Am J Public Health. 104:e92–e99. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

25 

Leonardi GC, Falzone L, Salemi R, Zanghï A, Spandidos DA, Mccubrey JA, Candido S and Libra M: Cutaneous melanoma: From pathogenesis to therapy (Review). Int J Oncol. 52:1071–1080. 2018.PubMed/NCBI

26 

Blackburn EH, Epel ES and Lin J: Human telomere biology: A contributory and interactive factor in aging, disease risks, and protection. Science. 350:1193–1198. 2015. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

27 

Moon IK and Jarstfer MB: The human telomere and its relationship to human disease, therapy, and tissue engineering. Front Biosci J Virtual Libr. 12:4595–4620. 2007. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

28 

O'Sullivan RJ and Karlseder J: Telomeres: Protecting chromosomes against genome instability. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 11:171–1781. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

29 

De Lange T: How telomeres solve the End-protection problem. Science. 326:948–952. 2009. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

30 

Monaghan P and Haussmann MF: Do telomere dynamics link lifestyle and lifespan? Trends Ecol Evol. 21:47–53. 2006. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

31 

Shay JW and Wright WE: Hayflick, his limit, and cellular ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 1:72–76. 2000. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

32 

Shay JW and Wright WE: Role of telomeres and telomerase in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol. 21:349–353. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

33 

Artandi SE and DePinho RA: Telomeres and telomerase in cancer. Carcinogenesis. 31:9–18. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

34 

Shay JW and Bacchetti S: A survey of telomerase activity in human cancer. Eur J Cancer. 33:787–791. 1997. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

35 

Maciejowski J and de Lange T: Telomeres in cancer: Tumour suppression and genome instability. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 18:175–186. 2017. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

36 

Robinson NJ and Schiemann WP: Telomerase in cancer: Function, regulation, and clinical translation. Cancers. 14:8082022. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

37 

Xu Y and Goldkorn A: Telomere and telomerase therapeutics in cancer. Genes. 7:222016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

38 

Dratwa M, Wysoczańska B, Łacina P, Kubik T and Bogunia-Kubik K: TERT-Regulation and roles in cancer formation. Front Immunol. 11:5899292020. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

39 

Tsatsakis A, Oikonomopoulou T, Nikolouzakis TK, Vakonaki E, Tzatzarakis M, Flamourakis M, Renieri E, Fragkiadaki P, Iliaki E, Bachlitzanaki M, et al: Role of telomere length in human carcinogenesis (Review). Int J Oncol. 63:782023. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

40 

López-Otín C, Pietrocola F, Roiz-Valle D, Galluzzi L and Kroemer G: Meta-hallmarks of aging and cancer. Cell Metab. 35:12–35. 2023. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

41 

Hanahan D and Weinberg RA: Hallmarks of cancer: The next generation. Cell. 144:646–674. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

42 

Okamoto K and Seimiya H: Revisiting telomere shortening in cancer. Cells. 8:1072019. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

43 

Andreikos D, Kyrodimos E, Kotsinas A, Chrysovergis A and Papacharalampous GX: The Association between telomere length and head and neck cancer risk: A systematic review and Meta-analysis. Int J Mol Sci. 25:90002024. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

44 

Karimi B, Yunesian M, Nabizadeh R, Mehdipour P and Aghaie A: Is leukocyte telomere length related with lung cancer risk?: A Meta-Analysis. Iran Biomed J. 21:142–153. 2017. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

45 

Ma H, Zhou Z, Wei S, Liu Z, Pooley KA, Dunning AM, Svenson U, Roos G, Hosgood HD III, Shen M and Wei Q: Shortened telomere length is associated with increased risk of cancer: A meta-analysis. PLoS One. 6:e204662011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

46 

Zhu X, Han W, Xue W, Zou Y, Xie C, Du J and Jin G: The association between telomere length and cancer risk in population studies. Sci Rep. 6:222432016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

47 

Benites-Zapata VA, Ulloque-Badaracco JR, Alarcón-Braga EA, Fernández-Alonso AM, López-Baena MT and Pérez-López FR: Telomerase activity and telomere length in women with breast cancer or without malignancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas. 180:1078822024. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

48 

Naing C, Aung K, Lai PK and Mak JW: Association between telomere length and the risk of colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis of observational studies. BMC Cancer. 17:242017. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

49 

Caini S, Raimondi S, Johansson H, De Giorgi V, Zanna I, Palli D and Gandini S: Telomere length and the risk of cutaneous melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: A review of the literature and meta-analysis. J Dermatol Sci. 80:168–174. 2015. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

50 

Rode L, Nordestgaard BG and Bojesen SE: Long telomeres and cancer risk among 95 568 individuals from the general population. Int J Epidemiol. 45:1634–1643. 2016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

51 

Fabiani R, Chiavarini M, Rosignoli P and Giacchetta I: Leucocyte telomere length and lung cancer risk: A systematic review and Meta-analysis of prospective studies. Cancers (Basel). 16:32182024. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

52 

Chen S, Hu S, Zhou B, Cheng B, Tong H, Su D, Li X, Chen Y and Zhang G: Telomere-related prognostic biomarkers for survival assessments in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep. 13:105862023. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

53 

Holesova Z, Krasnicanova L, Saade R, Pös O, Budis J, Gazdarica J, Repiska V and Szemes T: Telomere length changes in cancer: Insights on carcinogenesis and potential for Non-invasive diagnostic strategies. Genes (Basel). 14:7152023. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

54 

Wentzensen IM, Mirabello L, Pfeiffer RM and Savage SA: The association of telomere length and cancer: A meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 20:1238–1250. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

55 

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Shamseer L, Tetzlaff JM, Akl EA, Brennan SE, et al: The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 372:n712021. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

56 

Higgins JPT: Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. BMJ. 327:557–560. 2003. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

57 

Green S and Higgins JPT: Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The Cochrane Collaboration. http://training.cochrane.org/handbookMarch 20–2025

58 

DerSimonian R and Laird N: Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Control Clin Trials. 7:177–188. 1986. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

59 

Egger M, Smith GD, Schneider M and Minder C: Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. BMJ. 315:629–634. 1997. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

60 

Sterne JAC, Gavaghan D and Egger M: Publication and related bias in meta-analysis. J Clin Epidemiol. 53:1119–1129. 2000. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

61 

Wells GA, Shea B, O'Connell D, Peterson J, Welch V, Losos M and Tugwell P: The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for Assessing the Quality of Nonrandomised Studies in Meta-Analyses. 2013. http://www.ohri.ca/programs/clinical_epidemiology/oxford.aspMarch 20–2025

62 

Han J, Qureshi AA, Prescott J, Guo Q, Ye L, Hunter DJ and De Vivo I: A Prospective study of telomere length and the risk of skin cancer. J Invest Dermatol. 129:415–421. 2009. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

63 

Nan H, Du M, De Vivo I, Manson JE, Liu S, McTiernan A, Curb JD, Lessin LS, Bonner MR, Guo Q, et al: Shorter telomeres associate with a reduced risk of melanoma development. Cancer Res. 71:6758–6763. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

64 

Weischer M: Short telomere length, cancer survival, and cancer risk in 47102 individuals. J Natl Cancer Inst. 105:459–468. 2013. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

65 

Greenland S, Thomas DC and Morgenstern H: The rare-disease assumption revisited. Am J Epidemiol. 124:869–876. 1986. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

66 

Anic GM, Sondak VK, Messina JL, Fenske NA, Zager JS, Cherpelis BS, Lee JH, Fulp WJ, Epling-Burnette PK, Park JY and Rollison DE: Telomere length and risk of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol. 37:434–439. 2013. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

67 

Rachakonda S, Kong H, Srinivas N, Garcia-Casado Z, Requena C, Fallah M, Heidenreich B, Planelles D, Traves V, Schadendorf D, et al: Telomere length, telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations, and melanoma risk. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 57:564–572. 2018. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

68 

Schneider CV, Schneider KM, Teumer A, Rudolph KL, Hartmann D, Rader DJ and Strnad P: Association of telomere length with risk of disease and mortality. JAMA Intern Med. 182:291–300. 2022. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

69 

Bodelon C, Pfeiffer RM, Bollati V, Debbache J, Calista D, Ghiorzo P, Fargnoli MC, Bianchi-Scarra G, Peris K, Hoxha M, et al: On the interplay of telomeres, nevi and the risk of melanoma. PLoS One. 7:e524662012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

70 

Llorca-Cardeñosa MJ, Peña-Chilet M, Mayor M, Gomez-Fernandez C, Casado B, Martin-Gonzalez M, Carretero G, Lluch A, Martinez-Cadenas C, Ibarrola-Villava M and Ribas G: Long telomere length and a TERT-CLPTM1 locus polymorphism association with melanoma risk. Eur J Cancer. 50:3168–3177. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

71 

Menin C, Bojnik E, Del Bianco P, Elefanti L, Gianesin K, Keppel S, Stagni C, Mocellin S, Vecchiato A and De Rossi A: Differences in telomere length between sporadic and familial cutaneous melanoma. Br J Dermatol. 175:937–943. 2016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

72 

Burke LS, Hyland PL, Pfeiffer RM, Prescott J, Wheeler W, Mirabello L, Savage SA, Burdette L, Yeager M, Chanock S, et al: Telomere length and the risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Melanoma-Prone families with and without CDKN2A mutations. PLoS One. 8:e711212013. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

73 

Perrem K, Lynch A, Al Nooh F, Leader M and Elaine Kay: The different telomere lengths in basal and squamous cell carcinomas also differ between the nontransplant and renal transplant population. Hum Pathol. 39:1034–1041. 2008. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

74 

Srinivas N, Rachakonda S, Hielscher T, Calderazzo S, Rudnai P, Gurzau E, Koppova K, Fletcher T and Kumar R: Telomere length, arsenic exposure and risk of basal cell carcinoma of skin. Carcinogenesis. 40:715–723. 2019. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

75 

Liang G, Qureshi AA, Guo Q, De Vivo I and Han J: No association between telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes and the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 20:1043–1045. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

76 

Wainwright LJ, Rees JL and Middleton PG: Changes in mean telomere length in basal cell carcinomas of the skin. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 12:45–49. 1995. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

77 

Perrem K, Lynch A, Conneely M, Wahlberg H, Murphy G, Leader M and Kay E: The higher incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in renal transplant recipients is associated with increased telomere lengths. Hum Pathol. 38:351–358. 2007. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

78 

De Vitis M, Berardinelli F and Sgura A: Telomere length maintenance in cancer: At the crossroad between telomerase and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Int J Mol Sci. 19:6062018. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

79 

Andreikos D, Spandidos D and Georgakopoulou V: Telomeres and telomerase in mesothelioma: Pathophysiology, biomarkers and emerging therapeutic strategies (Review). Int J Oncol. 66:232025. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

80 

Mooi WJ and Peeper DS: Oncogene-induced cell Senescence-halting on the road to cancer. N Engl J Med. 355:1037–1046. 2006. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

81 

Gray-Schopfer VC, Cheong SC, Chong H, Chow J, Moss T, Abdel-Malek ZA, Marais R, Wynford-Thomas D and Bennett DC: Cellular senescence in naevi and immortalisation in melanoma: A role for p16? Br J Cancer. 95:496–505. 2006. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

82 

Bataille V, Kato BS, Falchi M, Gardner J, Kimura M, Lens M, Perks U, Valdes AM, Bennett DC, Aviv A and Spector TD: Nevus size and number are associated with telomere length and represent potential markers of a decreased senescence in vivo. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 16:1499–1502. 2007. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

83 

Robles-Espinoza CD, Velasco-Herrera M del C, Hayward NK and Adams DJ: Telomere-regulating genes and the telomere interactome in familial cancers. Mol Cancer Res. 13:211–222. 2015. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

84 

Toussi A, Mans N, Welborn J and Kiuru M: Germline mutations predisposing to melanoma. J Cutan Pathol. 47:606–616. 2020. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

85 

Son N, Cui Y and Xi W: Association between telomere length and skin cancer and aging: A mendelian randomization analysis. Front Genet. 13:9317852022. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

86 

McNally EJ, Luncsford PJ and Armanios M: Long telomeres and cancer risk: The price of cellular immortality. J Clin Invest. 129:3474–3481. 2019. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

87 

Stanley SE and Armanios M: The short and long telomere syndromes: Paired paradigms for molecular medicine. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 33:1–9. 2015. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

88 

Barrett ELB, Burke TA, Hammers M, Komdeur J and Richardson DS: Telomere length and dynamics predict mortality in a wild longitudinal study. Mol Ecol. 22:249–259. 2013. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

89 

Speedy HE, Di Bernardo MC, Sava GP, Dyer MJS, Holroyd A, Wang Y, Sunter NJ, Mansouri L, Juliusson G, Smedby KE, et al: A genome-wide association study identifies multiple susceptibility loci for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Nat Genet. 46:56–60. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

90 

Rachakonda S, Srinivas N, Mahmoudpour SH, Garcia-Casado Z, Requena C, Traves V, Soriano V, Cardelli M, Pjanova D, Molven A, et al: Telomere length and survival in primary cutaneous melanoma patients. Sci Rep. 8:109472018. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

91 

Martinez-Delgado B, Yanowsky K, Inglada-Perez L, De La Hoya M, Caldes T, Vega A, Blanco A, Martin T, Gonzalez-Sarmiento R, Blasco M, et al: Shorter telomere length is associated with increased ovarian cancer risk in both familial and sporadic cases. J Med Genet. 49:341–344. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

92 

Martinez-Delgado B, Yanowsky K, Inglada-Perez L, Domingo S, Urioste M, Osorio A and Benitez J: Genetic anticipation is associated with telomere shortening in hereditary breast cancer. PLoS Genet. 7:e10021822011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

93 

Rossi M, Pellegrini C, Cardelli L, Ciciarelli V, Di Nardo L and Fargnoli MC: Familial melanoma: Diagnostic and management implications. Dermatol Pract Concept. 9:10–16. 2019. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

94 

Zocchi L, Lontano A, Merli M, Dika E, Nagore E, Quaglino P, Puig S and Ribero S: Familial Melanoma and susceptibility genes: A review of the most common clinical and dermoscopic phenotypic aspect, associated malignancies and practical tips for management. J Clin Med. 10:37602021. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

95 

Hansen MEB, Hunt SC, Stone RC, Horvath K, Herbig U, Ranciaro A, Hirbo J, Beggs W, Reiner AP, Wilson JG, et al: Shorter telomere length in Europeans than in Africans due to polygenetic adaptation. Hum Mol Genet. 25:2324–2330. 2016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

96 

Chang YM, Barrett JH, Bishop DT, Armstrong BK, Bataille V, Bergman W, Berwick M, Bracci PM, Elwood JM, Ernstoff MS, et al: Sun exposure and melanoma risk at different latitudes: A pooled analysis of 5700 cases and 7216 controls. Int J Epidemiol. 38:814–830. 2009. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

97 

Armstrong BK and Kricker A: The epidemiology of UV induced skin cancer. J Photochem Photobiol B. 63:8–18. 2001. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

98 

Lundsgaard NU, Cramp RL and Franklin CE: Early exposure to UV radiation causes telomere shortening and poorer condition later in life. J Exp Biol. 225:jeb2439242022. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

99 

Gardner M, Bann D, Wiley L, Cooper R, Hardy R, Nitsch D, Martin-Ruiz C, Shiels P, Sayer AA, Barbieri M, et al: Gender and telomere length: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Exp Gerontol. 51:15–27. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

100 

Kyo S, Takakura M, Kanaya T, Zhuo W, Fujimoto K, Nishio Y, Orimo A and Inoue M: Estrogen activates telomerase. Cancer Res. 59:5917–5921. 1999.PubMed/NCBI

101 

Ventura A, Pellegrini C, Cardelli L, Rocco T, Ciciarelli V, Peris K and Fargnoli MC: Telomeres and telomerase in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci. 20:13332019. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

102 

Gilchrest BA, Eller MS, Geller AC and Yaar M: The pathogenesis of melanoma induced by ultraviolet radiation. N Engl J Med. 340:1341–1348. 1999. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

103 

Yamada-Hishida H, Nobeyama Y and Nakagawa H: Correlation of telomere length to malignancy potential in non-melanoma skin cancers. Oncol Lett. 15:393–399. 2018.PubMed/NCBI

104 

Grimes DA and Schulz KF: Bias and causal associations in observational research. Lancet. 359:248–252. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

105 

Glasziou PP and Sanders SL: Investigating causes of heterogeneity in systematic reviews. Stat Med. 21:1503–1511. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

106 

Montpetit AJ, Alhareeri AA, Montpetit M, Starkweather AR, Elmore LW, Filler K, Mohanraj L, Burton CW, Menzies VS, Lyon DE and Jackson-Cook CK: Telomere length: A review of methods for measurement. Nurs Res. 63:289–299. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

107 

Gutierrez-Rodrigues F, Santana-Lemos BA, Scheucher PS, Alves-Paiva RM and Calado RT: Direct comparison of Flow-FISH and qPCR as diagnostic tests for telomere length measurement in humans. PLoS One. 9:e1137472014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

108 

Lin L: Bias caused by sampling error in meta-analysis with small sample sizes. PLoS One. 13:e02040562018. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

Related Articles

  • Abstract
  • View
  • Download
  • Twitter
Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Andreikos DA and Spandidos DA: Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Lett 30: 395, 2025.
APA
Andreikos, D.A., & Spandidos, D.A. (2025). Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Oncology Letters, 30, 395. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15141
MLA
Andreikos, D. A., Spandidos, D. A."Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma". Oncology Letters 30.2 (2025): 395.
Chicago
Andreikos, D. A., Spandidos, D. A."Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma". Oncology Letters 30, no. 2 (2025): 395. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15141
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Andreikos DA and Spandidos DA: Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Lett 30: 395, 2025.
APA
Andreikos, D.A., & Spandidos, D.A. (2025). Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Oncology Letters, 30, 395. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15141
MLA
Andreikos, D. A., Spandidos, D. A."Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma". Oncology Letters 30.2 (2025): 395.
Chicago
Andreikos, D. A., Spandidos, D. A."Telomere length and skin cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma". Oncology Letters 30, no. 2 (2025): 395. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15141
Follow us
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
About
  • Spandidos Publications
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
How can we help?
  • Help
  • Live Chat
  • Contact
  • Email to our Support Team