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Genomic Instability in Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials

Arash Salmaninejad1, Khandan Ilkhani1, Havva Marzban2

  • 1Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|April 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

DNA damage and errors in DNA repair mechanisms can cause genomic instability, a key factor in cancer development. Understanding these processes may lead to new cancer treatment targets.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • DNA damage is a common cellular event from internal or external sources.
  • Unrepaired DNA damage can lead to mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, and cell death.
  • DNA repair mechanisms are crucial for maintaining genomic integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of genomic instability mechanisms in cancer.
  • To discuss the potential of these mechanisms as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of DNA damage and repair pathways.
  • Analysis of the link between genomic instability and cancer development.
  • Exploration of potential therapeutic strategies targeting DNA repair.

Main Results:

  • Aberrations in DNA repair lead to genomic and chromosomal instability.
  • Genomic instability contributes to oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inactivation.
  • This instability is a hallmark of many human cancers and a driver of carcinogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Genomic instability is a critical factor in cancer initiation and progression.
  • Targeting DNA repair mechanisms offers promising avenues for novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
DNA repairDNA replicationGenomic instabilitycancerchromosomal instabilitymolecular mechanisms.oncogenetumor suppressor gene

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