Abstract

DNA DAMAGING AGENT USED IN CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY

Shubhangi Vidhate*, Nita Yenare, Dakshata Vayeda and Bhushan Mundhe

Abstract

DNA-damaging agents have a long history of use in cancer chemotherapy. The full extent of their cellular mechanisms, which is essential to balance efficacy and toxicity, is often unclear. Chemotherapeutics target rapidly dividing cancer cells by directly or indirectly inducing DNA damage. Upon recognizing DNA damage, cells initiate a variety of signaling pathways collectively referred to as the DNA damage response (DDR). Novel anticancer compounds are continually being developed in the hopes of addressing these limitations; however, it is essential to be able to evaluate these compounds for their mechanisms of action. This review covers the current DNA-damaging agents used in the clinic, discusses their limitations, and describes the use of chemical genomics to uncover new information about the DNA damage response network and to evaluate novel DNA-damaging compounds.

Keywords: ATM, ATR, DNA damage, Chemotherapy, Cisplatin.