DNA damage and repair measured by comet assay in cancer patients

Publication date: Available online 20 May 2019Source: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental MutagenesisAuthor(s): Pavel Vodicka, Sona Vodenkova, Alena Opattova, Ludmila VodickovaAbstractThe last decade witnessed an increase in the use of comet assay for DNA damage monitoring in cancer patients and controls. Apart from case-control studies, reports described the determination of DNA damage prior to (baseline value) and after chemo-/radiotherapy, the treatment resulted in significantly elevated DNA damage. However, studies on DNA damage as a factor reflecting cancer prognosis and therapy prediction are scarce. In most cases, DNA damage was analysed in surrogate tissues. The data on DNA damage are available for 17 types of cancer. The reviewed data unambiguously pinpoint the usefulness of the comet assay in human cancer research due to its sensitivity and cost-effectiveness in evaluating DNA damage associated with the disease and with the treatment.DNA repair capacity (DRC) represents a complex marker for functional evaluation of multigene DNA repair processes in cancer onset with future prospects in personalized prevention and/or cancer treatment. A comparison between studies and more general conclusions are precluded by a variable design of the studies and a lack of standard protocol for both DNA damage and DRC determination. Since cancer is a heterogeneous complex disease, numerous points have to be considered: a) DNA damage and DRC measured in surrogate/targ...
Source: Mutation Research Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research