Daily Current Affairs : 11-October-2024

A recent study by scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata has opened up new possibilities for cancer treatment. The research focuses on a DNA repair enzyme called Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) and its potential role in overcoming challenges in cancer therapy. Let’s explore the significance of this discovery in simpler terms.

About TDP1 and Its Role

TDP1 is a DNA repair enzyme that helps maintain the integrity of our genetic material. Here’s how it works:

  • DNA Repair: During cell division, DNA strands can get damaged. One of the causes of this damage is a type of drug used in cancer treatment, called Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) inhibitors. TDP1 repairs this damage, allowing cells to survive despite the presence of chemotherapy drugs.
  • Activation During Cell Division: TDP1 becomes highly active during mitosis (the phase when a cell divides). This is when chemotherapy drugs often cause the most damage, but TDP1 steps in to fix it, making cancer cells more resistant to treatment.
  • Regulation by CDK1: TDP1’s activity is controlled by another protein, Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). CDK1 helps activate TDP1 by adding a phosphate group, which enhances its ability to repair the DNA damage.

Significance of Targeting TDP1 for Cancer Treatment

The discovery of TDP1’s role in cancer cell survival has important implications for improving cancer treatment.

  • Overcoming Drug Resistance: Cancer cells often become resistant to chemotherapy drugs over time. Targeting both TDP1 and CDK1 may prevent cancer cells from repairing DNA damage, making them more vulnerable to treatment.
  • Enhanced Cancer Therapy: By combining CDK1 inhibitors with existing cancer drugs, scientists may be able to disrupt the DNA repair process, slowing down or even halting the growth of cancer cells.
  • Precision Medicine: This approach could be used in precision medicine, which tailors treatments to individuals based on their specific genetic makeup. Targeting cancer cells that depend on TDP1 and CDK1 for survival could lead to more effective and personalized therapies.

Important Points:

  • TDP1 (Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1) is a DNA repair enzyme that fixes DNA damage caused by Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) inhibitors during cell division.
  • TDP1 activation: It becomes highly active during the mitotic phase (cell division) to repair chemotherapy-induced DNA damage, helping cancer cells survive.
  • Regulation by CDK1: Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) regulates TDP1 by enhancing its DNA repair function through phosphorylation.
  • Significance of targeting TDP1 and CDK1:
    • Overcoming drug resistance: Targeting both enzymes can prevent cancer cells from repairing DNA, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy.
    • Enhanced cancer therapy: Combining CDK1 inhibitors with Top1 inhibitors could disrupt DNA repair, slowing or halting cancer cell growth.
    • Precision medicine: This approach can lead to personalized treatments that specifically target cancer cells dependent on TDP1 and CDK1.
  • Therapeutic potential: The combination of CDK1 inhibitors and existing chemotherapy drugs may boost cancer treatment success and improve patient outcomes.

Why In News

Recent research by scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, has identified a promising new approach for cancer treatment by targeting a DNA repair enzyme called TDP1, which plays a crucial role in helping cancer cells survive chemotherapy by repairing DNA damage. This discovery opens the door to more effective strategies for overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapies.

MCQs about Recent Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment:Targeting DNA Repair Enzyme TDP1

  1. What is the primary role of TDP1 in cancer cells?
    A. To prevent cancer cell division
    B. To repair DNA damage caused by chemotherapy drugs
    C. To promote cell death in cancer cells
    D. To enhance drug absorption in cancer cells
    Correct Answer: B. To repair DNA damage caused by chemotherapy drugs
    Explanation: TDP1 is a DNA repair enzyme that plays a crucial role in fixing DNA damage caused by chemotherapy drugs like Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) inhibitors, which helps cancer cells survive despite the damage.
  2. Which protein regulates the activity of TDP1?
    A. Topoisomerase 1
    B. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)
    C. DNA polymerase
    D. RNA polymerase
    Correct Answer: B. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)
    Explanation: Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) regulates TDP1’s activity by enhancing its DNA repair function through phosphorylation, especially during cell division.
  3. How could the combination of CDK1 inhibitors with chemotherapy drugs benefit cancer treatment?
    A. By reducing chemotherapy drug side effects
    B. By disrupting DNA repair and preventing cancer cells from surviving
    C. By increasing the speed of chemotherapy drug absorption
    D. By promoting faster cell division in cancer cells
    Correct Answer: B. By disrupting DNA repair and preventing cancer cells from surviving
    Explanation: The combination of CDK1 inhibitors with chemotherapy drugs could prevent cancer cells from repairing DNA damage, which would hinder their survival and growth during treatment.
  4. What is the potential advantage of targeting TDP1 and CDK1 in cancer treatment?
    A. It may improve drug absorption in cancer cells
    B. It may help overcome resistance to current cancer therapies
    C. It may speed up cell division in healthy cells
    D. It may enhance tumor growth
    Correct Answer: B. It may help overcome resistance to current cancer therapies
    Explanation: Targeting TDP1 and CDK1 can help overcome resistance in cancer therapies by preventing cancer cells from repairing the DNA damage caused by chemotherapy, making treatments more effective.

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