Work

Revisiting DNA damage repair, p53-mediated apoptosis and cisplatin sensitivity in germ cell tumors

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), ie, seminomas and nonseminomas, account for 1% to 3% of all neoplasms in men. They are the most common cancer in young white males and are unique in their responsiveness to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. For this reason, TGCTs are considered a model for curative disease. However, up to now, the molecular mechanisms behind this exceptional responsiveness to DNA-damaging agents have remained unclear. A hypersensitive apoptotic response, as well as a reduction in the proficiency to repair cisplatin-induced DNA damage might account for this behavior. In this review, building on recent findings of p53-induced apoptosis and DNA-repair mechanisms in TGCTs, we will discuss the molecular bases that drive tumor sensitivity to cisplatin, emphasizing the new therapeutic approaches proposed to eventually constrain tumor recurrence, and target TGCTs which are unresponsive to standard therapies.

Source: The International Journal of Developmental Biology

DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.130135mb

Authors: Francesca Cavallo, Darren R. Feldman, Marco Barchi

Institutions: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Testicular diseases and treatments

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro