Bisphosphonates decrease telomerase activity and hTERT expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Alendronate and pamidronate showed an inhibition of viability (−63 and −35%, respectively; p < 0.0001) and proliferation of cancer cells, while no effect was observed with clodronate. Amino-bisphosphonates induced a significant increase of apoptosis in MCF-7. In addition, they showed a significant decrease in telomerase expression and activity with respect to control and to clodronate.