DNA damage response and repair in colorectal cancer: Defects, regulation and therapeutic implications

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Genetics

Background:

• DNA damage response (DDR) pathways maintain genome integrity through kinase-dependent signaling.
• DDR mechanisms include cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis, triggered by damage severity.
• Defects in DDR signaling are implicated in the development and progression of human cancers, notably colorectal cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular pathology of colorectal cancer.
• To introduce the DNA damage response network.
• To comprehensively discuss the role of DDR components in colorectal cancer initiation, progression, prognosis, treatment response, and drug resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on DNA damage response and colorectal cancer.
• Synthesis of information on molecular pathology and DDR signaling pathways.
• Analysis of the involvement of key DDR components in various aspects of colorectal cancer.

Main Results:

• DDR pathways are essential for sensing and responding to DNA damage.
• Aberrant DDR signaling is a significant factor in colorectal cancer pathogenesis.
• Key DDR components influence tumor initiation, progression, patient prognosis, and therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Understanding DDR mechanisms is critical for comprehending colorectal cancer.
• Targeting DDR pathways holds potential for novel colorectal cancer therapies.
• DDR network alterations are central to colorectal cancer development and drug resistance.