X-ray cross-complementing family: the bridge linking DNA damage repair and cancer

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Oncology

Background:

• Genomic instability is a hallmark of human cancers.
• DNA damage threatens genetic information transmission and can cause carcinogenesis.
• Cells possess DNA damage response mechanisms, including DNA repair, to maintain genomic stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the significant roles of the X-ray repair cross-complementary (XRCC) gene family in diverse tumor types.
• To discuss the correlation between XRCC family members and tumor therapeutic sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of XRCC gene family functions in cancer.
• Analysis of XRCC gene mutations and expression in tumor development.
• Examination of the relationship between XRCC and cancer treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• The XRCC gene family plays critical roles in DNA repair, particularly for single-strand breaks and base damage.
• Dysfunction of XRCC genes is associated with the development of various human tumors.
• Mutations and aberrant expression of XRCC genes lead to abnormal DNA repair, promoting malignant progression.

Conclusions:

• The XRCC gene family is integral to DNA repair pathways and genomic stability.
• XRCC gene alterations contribute to tumorigenesis and influence cancer progression.
• Understanding XRCC family members' roles is vital for cancer therapy and predicting treatment sensitivity.