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DNA Repair and Cancer Therapy: Targeting APE1/Ref-1 Using Dietary Agents

Julian J Raffoul1, Ahmad R Heydari, Gilda G Hillman

  • 1Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Journal of Oncology
|September 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Dietary compounds like soy isoflavones may enhance cancer treatment by targeting the APE1/Ref-1 enzyme. These natural agents show potential in sensitizing cancer cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies show cancer-protective effects of natural compounds from fruits, soybeans, and vegetables.
  • Natural products can potentially enhance chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss targeting the DNA base excision repair enzyme APE1/Ref-1 with dietary agents.
  • To explore the role of soy isoflavones in sensitizing cancer cells to radiotherapy.
  • To review the dual function of APE1/Ref-1 in DNA repair and transcription factor regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological and molecular studies.
  • Analysis of the role of APE1/Ref-1 in DNA repair and redox signaling.
  • Discussion of dietary agents including soy isoflavones, resveratrol, curcumin, ascorbate, and α-tocopherol.

Main Results:

  • APE1/Ref-1 is a key enzyme in DNA repair and redox regulation of transcription factors NF-κB and HIF-1α.
  • Dietary agents like soy isoflavones show potential in targeting APE1/Ref-1.
  • Soy isoflavones may sensitize cancer cells to radiotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of APE1/Ref-1's DNA repair versus redox activity in cancer treatment sensitization.
  • Dietary agents targeting APE1/Ref-1 represent a promising strategy for enhancing conventional cancer therapies.

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