TERT and cancer: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase that, together with an RNA component, maintains chromosomal integrity by telomere elongation.1, 2 Telomerase is expressed in germline and stem cells, but it is normally repressed in postnatal somatic cells.3 Reactivation of TERT in cancer cells prevents telomere shortening, thus allowing unlimited cellular proliferation essential for transformation.4, 5 Telomerase activity is upregulated in ~85%‐90% of aggressive tumors, making this event a hallmark of cancer.6, 7