Werner helicase as a therapeutic target in mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer

IF 3 3区生物学 Q2 GENETICS & HEREDITY

DNA Repair Pub Date : 2025-04-03 DOI:10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103831

Suisui Hao , Zhaojin Liu , Heinz-Josef Lenz , Jian Yu , Lin Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. A key driver of CRC development is microsatellite instability (MSI), which is caused by DNA mismatch repair deficiency and characterized by hypermutability of short-tandem repeat sequences. A significant portion of MSI CRCs do not respond to checkpoint immunotherapy treatments, highlighting an unmet need for improved therapies. Recent studies have revealed that MSI cancer cells require Werner (WRN), a RecQ family DNA helicase, for survival. Inhibiting WRN has emerged as a promising approach for targeting MSI CRCs that are insensitive to standard therapies. Several highly potent small-molecule WRN inhibitors have been developed and exhibited striking in vitro and in vivo activities against MSI cancers. Two of these WRN inhibitors, HRO761 and VVD-133214, have recently entered clinical trials. In this review, we summarize recent studies on WRN as a synthetic lethal target in MSI CRC and the development of WRN inhibitors as a new class of anticancer agents.

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来源期刊

DNA Repair 生物-毒理学

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

5.30%

发文量

审稿时长

59 days

期刊介绍： DNA Repair provides a forum for the comprehensive coverage of DNA repair and cellular responses to DNA damage. The journal publishes original observations on genetic, cellular, biochemical, structural and molecular aspects of DNA repair, mutagenesis, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and other biological responses in cells exposed to genomic insult, as well as their relationship to human disease. DNA Repair publishes full-length research articles, brief reports on research, and reviews. The journal welcomes articles describing databases, methods and new technologies supporting research on DNA repair and responses to DNA damage. Letters to the Editor, hot topics and classics in DNA repair, historical reflections, book reviews and meeting reports also will be considered for publication.