Evaluation of DNA versus collagen perception in scientific articles examining cancer chemotherapy: Implication for collagen-based approaches

Objective: Although cancer chemotherapy has been used for more than seventy years, its definitive mechanism of action is not known. Many studies indicate that beyond DNA the collagen connective tissue matrix is also affected. This database analysis aims to determine the extent of DNA versus collagen perception in scientific papers indexed under PubMed. Material and Method: The PubMed database scanned on September, 15, 2021 using following keywords and combinations; “cancer”, “cancer chemotherapy”, “cancer chemotherapy AND damage”, “chemotherapy AND mechanism AND damage”, “chemotherapy AND clinical” as nominator. The number of items found for each search was proportioned in terms “DNA versus collagen” and the ratio was accepted as the perception shift coefficient. Results: Tested with the p1-p2 analysis to calculate the difference between the two proportions in both search items. Based on the main rule under the assumption that “all cells have DNA and all cells live in the collagen matrix”. In the p1-p2 analysis of the data, a significant (p <0.001) difference was obtained for all dichotomy scans. Conclusion: This data analysis supports the argument that both cancer and chemotherapy perception is DNA- based rather than collagen, since the synthesis and degradation process of very slow; it is not possible to observe it in short term studies. Chemotherapy should be further analyzed by this manner in purpose of collagen matrix. ÖZET