DNA repairs may be key to cancer care

A NEW discovery by scientists researching how the human body repairs its own genetic material could lead to better treatments for cancer.

A study by the University of Sheffield revealed how levels of a DNA repair enzyme can influence the effectiveness of chemotherapy in destroying cancer cells.

It is hoped the research can be used to develop treatments for chemotherapy-resistant cancers like rhabdosarcoma, the most common soft tissue cancer in children.

The study found that having more of the enzyme inhibited chemotherapy because the body keeps repairing DNA in the cancer cells.

It also found that having lower levels of the enzyme could lead to a form of damage to the DNA which is linked to degenerative brain conditions.

Fuelling the activity of the enzyme could improve the treatment of a range of neurological disease, said Dr Sherif ElKhamisy, of the university’s Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, who led the research. Dr El-Khamisy said: “Defective DNA repair is a common theme in a number of neurological disorders including motor neurone disease and dementia.”

The findings, published in the journal Cell Reports, were made as part of a five-year study.