Cancer treatment can now be improved by identifying DNA repair genes according to a study at the University of Birmingham, published in the journal Molecular cells.
Repairing damage to DNA is important for cells to stay healthy, and to prevent diseases such as cancer from developing. Research has discovered a new way in which cancer cells can repair DNA damage, which could help clinicians decide on different targeted cancer treatments for cancer. patient.
‘New research sheds light on cancer cells’ DNA repair genes, how cancer cells respond to treatment (chemotherapy and radiation) and how cancer may be resistant to targeted treatments. target.’
DNA repair in cancer
The team specifically identified two previously unidentified proteins in DNA repair – SETD1A and BOD1L, help modify other DNA-binding proteins (called histones).
It is seen that removing these two proteins changes the way DNA is repaired, and make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Furthermore, the loss of SETD1A and BOD1L makes cancer cells resistant to certain anti-cancer drugs called PARP inhibitors.
“This is the first time that these genes have been directly implicated in DNA repair in cancer. This study has the potential to change the way cancer patients are identified for treatment and also the way they become resistance to different drugs, which will also improve treatment efficacy as patient outcomes,” said lead author Martin Higgs.
Source: Medindia
