DNA Repair Gene Interactions Offer New Cancer Therapy Targets

Researchers have identified potential new targets for cancer therapy through an extensive analysis of gene interactions involved in DNA repair. The study examined how cells maintain genome integrity by analyzing the interactions of over 500 genes crucial for DNA repair. The team systematically inactivated pairs of repair genes in human cell cultures, examining nearly 150,000 combinations. This approach revealed previously unknown dependencies essential for cell survival. When certain gene pairs were inactivated, cells accumulated damage, leading to non-viability. The study details specific molecular interactions that fail when these gene pairs are disrupted. Cancer cells often have mutations in repair genes, making them vulnerable to further disruption. The research identifies additional genes that, when inactivated, can inhibit cancer cell growth. The team provides a list of links between common cancer mutations and molecular targets that can be blocked by drugs. A web platform (SPIDRweb) has been created to share these findings.