Targeting the DNA Repair Enzyme Polymerase theta in Cancer Therapy

Targeted cancer therapies represent a milestone towards personalized treatment as they function via inhibition of cancer-specific alterations. Polymerase theta (POLQ), an error-prone translesion polymerase, also involved in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, is often upregulated in cancer. POLQ is synthetic lethal with various DNA repair genes, including known cancer drivers such as BRCA1/2, making it essential in homologous recombination-deficient cancers. Thus, POLQ represents a promising target in cancer therapy and efforts for the development of POLQ inhibitors are actively underway with first clinical trials due to start in 2021. This review summarizes the journey of POLQ from a backup DNA repair enzyme to a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Automated summary

Targeted cancer therapies focusing on POLQ, an error-prone translesion polymerase involved in DNA repair, represent a promising approach in personalized cancer treatment. Inhibition of POLQ, currently under development, shows potential for more effective cancer therapies in the future.