Synthetic lethality in cancer therapeutics: The next generation Review


Authors: Setton, J.; Zinda, M.; Riaz, N.; Durocher, D.; Zimmermann, M.; Koehler, M.; Reis-Filho, J. S.; Powell, S. N.
Review Title: Synthetic lethality in cancer therapeutics: The next generation
Abstract: Synthetic lethality (SL) provides a conceptual framework for tackling targets that are not classically “druggable,” including loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressor genes required for carcinogenesis. Recent technological advances have led to an inflection point in our understanding of genetic interaction networks and ability to identify a wide array of novel SL drug targets. Here, we review concepts and lessons emerging from first-generation trials aimed at testing SL drugs, discuss how the nature of the targeted lesion can influence therapeutic outcomes, and highlight the need to develop clinical biomarkers distinct from those based on the paradigms developed to target activated oncogenes. Significance: SL offers an approach for the targeting of loss of function of tumor suppressor and DNA repair genes, as well as of amplification and/or overexpression of genes that cannot be targeted directly. A next generation of tumor-specific alterations targetable through SL has emerged from high-throughput CRISPR technology, heralding not only new opportunities for drug development, but also important challenges in the development of optimal predictive biomarkers. © 2021 American Association for Cancer Research.
Journal Title: Cancer Discovery
Volume: 11
Issue: 7
ISSN: 2159-8274
Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research  
Date Published: 2021-07-01
Start Page: 1626
End Page: 1635
Language: English
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.Cd-20-1503
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8295179
PUBMED: 33795234
DOI/URL:
Notes: Short Survey -- Export Date: 2 August 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Simon Nicholas Powell
    331 Powell
  2. Nadeem Riaz
    415 Riaz
  3. Jeremy Setton
    93 Setton