title: DNA repair, genome stability and cancer: a historical perspective.
abstract: The multistep process of cancer progresses over many years. The prevention of mutations by DNA repair pathways led to an early appreciation of a role for repair in cancer avoidance. However, the broader role of the DNA damage response (DDR) emerged more slowly. In this Timeline article, we reflect on how our understanding of the steps leading to cancer developed, focusing on the role of the DDR. We also consider how our current knowledge can be exploited for cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
authors.forename: Penny A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Jeggo
authors.affiliation: Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
authors.forename: Laurence H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Pearl
authors.affiliation: Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
authors.forename: Antony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000502:physiology*; D036281:Genetic Research / Q000266:history*; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000502:physiology*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology