Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinases as therapeutic targets and stratification indicators for prostate cancer

ChloeGulliver  RalfHoffmann   George S.Baillie

New work led by Dr. George Baillie highlights the feasibility of therapeutically targeting ATR in AtaxiaT elangiectasia mutated-deficient Prostate Tumors to enhance overall efficacy and reduce therapeutic resistance.

Abstract

The DNA damage response is an integral part of a cells’ ability to maintain genomic integrity by responding to and ameliorating DNA damage, or initiating cell death for irrepairably damaged cells. This response is often hijacked by cancer cells to evade cell death allowing mutant cells to persist, as well as in the development of treatment resistance to DNA damaging agents such as chemotherapy and radiation. Prostate cancer (PCa) cells often exhibit alterations in DNA damage response genes including ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), correlating with aggressive disease phenotype.

The recent success of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition has led to several clinically approved PARP inhibitors for the treatment of men with metastatic PCa, however a key limitation is the development of drug resistance and relapse. An alternative approach is selectively targeting ATM and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) which, due to their position at the forefront of the DDR, represent attractive pharmacological targets. ATR inhibition has been shown to act synergistically with PARP inhibition and other cancer treatments to enhance anti-tumor activity. 

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First published: 10 June 2022