[DNA repair--a new molecular target of anticancer therapy].

DNA-damaging agents and radiation have a central role besides other cancer treatment modalities currently. The balance between DNA damage and capacity of DNA repair mechanisms determines the final therapeutic outcome. An elevated ability of cancer cells to recognize DNA damage and initiate DNA repair pathways is an important mechanism for therapeutic resistance and has a negative impact upon therapeutic efficacy. Pharmacological inhibition of recently detected targets of DNA repair with several small-molecule compounds, therefore, has the potential to enhance the cytotoxicity of anticancer agents.