DNA damaging agents work by disrupting the normal structure of DNA, thereby interfering with the processes of replication and transcription. This can lead to cell cycle arrest or cell death if the damage is irreparable. In cancer therapy, agents like chemotherapy drugs and radiation aim to exploit the vulnerabilities in cancer cells, which often have defective DNA repair mechanisms. This selective toxicity is used to eliminate cancer cells while sparing normal, healthy cells to the greatest extent possible.
