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Synthetic lethal therapy based on targeting the vulnerability of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex-deficient

Mariko Sasaki1,2, Hideaki Ogiwara1

  • 1Division of Cancer Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.

Cancer Science
|January 20, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cancers with mutations in the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex are vulnerable to synthetic lethality. This review proposes precision medicine strategies, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, to exploit these vulnerabilities for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is crucial for cellular processes.
  • Mutations in SWI/SNF genes, often loss-of-function, occur in ~20% of human cancers.
  • Deficiency in SWI/SNF impacts transcription, DNA repair, replication, and segregation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the concept of synthetic lethality in SWI/SNF-deficient cancers.
  • To propose precision medicine strategies leveraging synthetic lethality.
  • To explore chemotherapeutic applications like targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on SWI/SNF complex function and mutations.
  • Analysis of synthetic lethality vulnerabilities arising from SWI/SNF deficiency.
  • Identification of potential therapeutic targets and strategies.

Main Results:

  • SWI/SNF-deficient cancers exhibit heightened vulnerability due to impaired cellular functions.
  • Synthetic lethal targets have been identified based on these vulnerabilities.
  • Harnessing synthetic lethality offers a promising avenue for precision oncology.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting synthetic lethality in SWI/SNF-deficient cancers represents a key precision medicine approach.
  • Molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy can be utilized to exploit these vulnerabilities.
  • This strategy holds potential for improved cancer treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
chromatin remodelingepigeneticsmolecular targeted therapyprecision medicinesynthetic lethality

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