How Do Mutations in DNA Repair Genes Contribute to Cancer?
Mutations in DNA repair genes can compromise the cell’s ability to fix DNA damage, leading to accumulation of mutations. For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers. These genes are involved in homologous recombination, a critical DNA repair pathway. Defects in this pathway can result in chromosomal instability and tumorigenesis.
