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Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Assessment of Global DNA Double-Strand End Resection using BrdU-DNA Labeling coupled with Cell Cycle Discrimination Imaging
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Role of DNA Repair Deficiency in Cancer Development

Alaa Saud Alhegaili

    Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences : PJBS
    |May 2, 2023
    PubMed

    Insights

    DNA damage is a constant threat, but cellular repair mechanisms like base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) are crucial for preventing genomic instability and cancer. Defects in these DNA repair pathways significantly contribute to cancer development.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • DNA is continuously damaged by internal and external factors.
    • Prompt DNA repair is essential to maintain genomic stability and prevent cancer.
    • Accumulated DNA damage can lead to mutations, cell death, or oncogenesis.

    Approach:

    • This review examines the critical role of DNA repair mechanisms.
    • It discusses various repair pathways including direct reversal, excision repair (BER, NER), mismatch repair (MMR), homologous recombination (HR), and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ).
    • The review focuses on how deficiencies in these repair systems contribute to cancer initiation, progression, and development.

    Key Points:

    • Multiple DNA repair pathways exist to counteract DNA damage.
    • Specific pathways include BER, NER, MMR, HR, and NHEJ.
    • Failures in DNA repair are strongly linked to cancer.

    Conclusions:

    • DNA repair is a fundamental cellular process vital for preventing cancer.
    • Defects in DNA repair mechanisms are key drivers in the initiation and progression of various cancers.
    • Understanding DNA repair is crucial for cancer research and therapeutic strategies.
    Keywords:
    DNA damageDNA repaircancergenetic testingtreatment

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