What is the Role of DNA Repair Mechanisms in Cancer?
DNA repair mechanisms are essential for maintaining genomic integrity by fixing errors that occur during DNA replication and damage caused by environmental factors. In cancer, these repair mechanisms are often defective, leading to an accumulation of DNA errors. For instance, mutations in the MLH1 or MSH2 genes, involved in mismatch repair, are associated with Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
