Jehad F. Alhmoud, John F. Woolley, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa and
Abstract:
DNA damage is well recognized as a critical factor in cancer development and progression.
DNA lesions create an abnormal nucleotide or nucleotide fragment, causing a break in one or both
chains of the DNA strand. When DNA damage occurs, the possibility of generated mutations
increases. Genomic instability is one of the most important factors that lead to cancer development.
DNA repair pathways perform the essential role of correcting the DNA lesions that occur from
DNA damaging agents or carcinogens, thus maintaining genomic stability. Inecient DNA repair
is a critical driving force behind cancer establishment, progression and evolution. A thorough
understanding of DNA repair mechanisms in cancer will allow for better therapeutic intervention.
In this review we will discuss the relationship between DNA damage/repair mechanisms and cancer,
and how we can target these pathways.