title: DNA repair mechanisms in cancer development and therapy.
abstract: DNA damage has been long recognized as causal factor for cancer development. When erroneous DNA repair leads to mutations or chromosomal aberrations affecting oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, cells undergo malignant transformation resulting in cancerous growth. Genetic defects can predispose to cancer: mutations in distinct DNA repair systems elevate the susceptibility to various cancer types. However, DNA damage not only comprises a root cause for cancer development but also continues to provide an important avenue for chemo- and radiotherapy. Since the beginning of cancer therapy, genotoxic agents that trigger DNA damage checkpoints have been applied to halt the growth and trigger the apoptotic demise of cancer cells. We provide an overview about the involvement of DNA repair systems in cancer prevention and the classes of genotoxins that are commonly used for the treatment of cancer. A better understanding of the roles and interactions of the highly complex DNA repair machineries will lead to important improvements in cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Genome Stability in Ageing and Disease, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany ; Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases Research Center, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany ; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany ; Systems Biology of Ageing Cologne, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torgovnick
authors.affiliation: Institute for Genome Stability in Ageing and Disease, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany ; Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases Research Center, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany ; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany ; Systems Biology of Ageing Cologne, University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schumacher
keywords: DNA repair; Fanconi anemia; aging; ataxia telangiectasia; cancer therapy; genome instability; progeroid syndromes; xeroderma pigmentosum