Differences in the kinetics of DNA repair in cancer patients and healthy controls

The time course of DNA repair, using (3H)thymidine uptake as parameter, was measured during 8 h after a single exposure to 2, 8, and 16 UV-C J/m2 in lymphocytes of 8 cancer patients, 1 xeroderma pigmentosum patient and 10 controls. All patients had reduced repair, and all controls normal repair, as calculated 2 h after a single exposure. Six patients reached normal levels with a delay of 2-6 h, whereas 2 patients and the xeroderma pigmentosum patient did not. Although the kinetic curves in controls and patients had a similar form, those for 8 and 16 J/m2 in patients were shifted so that they corresponded to that of 2 J/m2 in controls. Additionally the ability to repair repeated damage (cells irradiated twice or three times at 2-hour intervals with doses of 2 or 8 J/m2) was investigated in 6 patients and in 7 controls. The incorporation values showed significant differences between patients and controls at each dose and time point. Cancer patients tend to repair repeated damage less efficiently than controls. Using these parameters subtle differences between the repair ability of individuals might be identified. Because of the known connection between reduced DNA repair and carcinogenesis, this might help to distinguish cancer-prone individuals.