Researchers in Israel have identified that cancer cells can damage their own DNA through the same process that drives their aggressive growth. This mechanism reveals a potential vulnerability that could be exploited for new treatments.
The study, published in Science Advances, demonstrated that hyperactive genetic switches, termed "super-enhancers," force cancer genes to operate at maximum speed. This activity, however, also creates significant "stress" on the DNA, which can lead to breaks.
Using advanced mapping techniques, the researchers found that these DNA breaks occur repeatedly in the same high-activity regions. Although cancer cells possess mechanisms to repair these breaks, the recurring cycle of damage and repair may render these regions more susceptible to accumulating mutations over time.
According to a statement from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the same mechanisms that contribute to rapid cancer growth may also make its DNA more fragile.
These findings suggest a promising treatment approach: targeting these overstressed DNA regions could disrupt the cancer's growth cycle, slow its evolutionary capacity, and potentially increase the sensitivity of tumors to existing therapies.