title: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in cancer treatment.
abstract: Recent research on inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has demonstrated their potential for improving cancer therapy. They inhibit protein poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation and thus affect numerous molecular and cellular functions, including DNA repair and cell survival, that are critical for such physiological and patho-physiological states as carcinogenesis, inflammation, and resistance to cancer therapy. In this review, we describe the biological basis underlying the use of these agents in cancer therapy, providing data from preclinical studies that demonstrate the synergistic interaction of PARP inhibitors with radiation and chemotherapeutics. We also summarize initial clinical trials of PARP inhibitors for cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Experimental Radiation Oncology †Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX ‡Department of General Surgery, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Orlando, FL.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Uma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Raju
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Buchholz
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zvonimir L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Milas
authors.forename: Luka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Milas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004260:DNA Repair; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D009336:Necrosis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D000067856:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000067856:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases