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Definition: How can DNA repair mechanisms be targeted for therapeutic purposes?

Targeting DNA repair mechanisms for therapeutic purposes involves developing strategies to enhance or inhibit specific repair pathways to selectively kill cancer cells or improve the overall health and lifespan of an individual. This approach can be achieved through several methods, including:

1. DNA repair inhibitors: By targeting specific enzymes or proteins involved in DNA repair, researchers can develop inhibitors that prevent the repair of DNA damage in cancer cells. This approach aims to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as their impaired repair mechanisms make them more susceptible to DNA damage-induced cell death.

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2. DNA repair enhancers: Conversely, enhancing DNA repair mechanisms can be beneficial in certain situations. For example, in individuals with genetic disorders characterized by impaired DNA repair, such as xeroderma pigmentosum or Fanconi anemia, therapies that boost the activity of remaining repair pathways can help mitigate the effects of DNA damage and improve overall health.

3. Synthetic lethality: This approach involves targeting DNA repair pathways that are already compromised in cancer cells due to specific mutations or deficiencies. By exploiting these vulnerabilities, researchers can develop drugs that selectively kill cancer cells while sparing normal cells. For example, PARP inhibitors have been successfully used in the treatment of certain types of breast and ovarian cancers that have defects in the homologous recombination DNA repair pathway.

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4. Gene therapy: Another approach to targeting DNA repair mechanisms is through gene therapy. This involves introducing functional copies of genes involved in DNA repair into cells with defective repair pathways. By restoring the normal function of these repair mechanisms, gene therapy can potentially correct the underlying genetic cause of certain diseases and improve overall health.

In conclusion, targeting DNA repair mechanisms for therapeutic purposes offers promising avenues for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer and genetic disorders. By selectively inhibiting or enhancing specific repair pathways, researchers can develop strategies to improve patient outcomes and potentially extend healthy lifespan.

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Keywords: repair, mechanisms, damage, targeting, pathways, genetic, specific, improve, approach