DNA repair inhibitors and radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the main cancer treatments and grows in importance due to improved techniques. DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation creates DNA strand breaks that trigger an intervention of DNA repair pathways involving numerous proteins and enzymes. In recent years, we have identified DNA repair inhibitors as targets for inhibiting cellular repair systems and thus causing cell death. Combining RT with these DNA repair inhibitors appears to be a new approach for cancer treatment, but safety and real efficiency of this combination in practice is unclear. Numerous trials are underway in various diseases and initial results are promising overall, yet remain controversial.