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A Data Integration Workflow to Identify Drug Combinations Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions
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Computational Approaches to Identify Genetic Interactions for Cancer Therapeutics

Graeme Benstead-Hume1, Sarah K Wooller1, Frances M G Pearl1

  • 1.

Journal of Integrative Bioinformatics
|September 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Identifying novel cancer treatments through genetic interactions is crucial. This study explores synthetic sickness lethality (SSL) and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) using omics data for targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Improved cancer therapies remain a critical unmet medical need.
  • Targeted treatments offer a promising avenue for cancer care.
  • Understanding genetic interactions is key to developing novel therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the therapeutic exploitation of genetic interactions for novel cancer treatments.
  • To review methodologies for identifying genetic interactions using omics data.
  • To highlight the potential of synthetic lethality approaches in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing 'omics data to identify genetic interactions.
  • Focusing on synthetic sickness lethality (SSL) and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) principles.
  • Employing experimental and computational approaches in humans and model organisms.

Main Results:

  • Identification of key genetic interactions relevant to cancer.
  • Validation of SSL and SDL as strategies for targeted therapy discovery.
  • Discovery of potential therapeutic targets with existing or developing drugs.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic interactions, particularly SSL and SDL, are powerful tools for discovering targeted cancer therapies.
  • Omics data combined with computational and experimental methods can reveal actionable targets.
  • Several identified targets are progressing towards clinical application, offering hope for patients.
Keywords:
genetic interactionsoncogenesynthetic dosage lethalitysynthetic sickness lethalitytumour suppressor

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