The telomerase actually stabilizes the cancer cells by preventing further chromosome damage that would ultimately kill them. Bert Vogelstein of the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center in Baltimore, Maryland, thinks this is fascinating research. There are major differences between humans and rodents in telomerase regulation. Evidently the end is not in sight for the telomerase story. Artandi, S.E. et al.
Telomere dysfunction promotes non-reciprocal translocations and epithelial cancers in mice.