Lawlor RT, et al. - Researchers performed the first meta-analysis on the clinical significance of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a telomerase-independent mechanism used by a broad range of neoplasms to maintain telomere length, permitting uncontrolled replication during their progression. They analyzed eight articles with a total of 551 patients with sarcomas (226 ALT+ and 325 ALT-). Outcomes revealed a statistically significant risk of death in patients with sarcoma in correlation with ALT. They recommend considering ALT for an exact prognostic stratification and design of potential therapeutic strategies in these neoplasms.