Cancer is a group of more than 200 diseases affecting different parts of the body. They all share one common characteristic, unchecked cell growth progressing towards unlimited expansion and require different approaches for its treatment. Both radiation therapy and chemotherapeutic drugs such as alkylating agent, anti-metabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors are designed to damage DNA in order to prevent cancer cells from growing.
It is postulated that the effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is dampened by DNA repair enzymes 1 Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) belongs to the PARP family of enzymes and is involved in the detection and repair of DNA damage. PARP-1 inhibitors are a new class of anticancer agents agents targeting DNA repair mechanism. The inhibition of PARP-1 is of clinical importance in various types of cancer. PARP-1 inhibitors have shown great potential to target cancers such as high-grade ovarian cancers and triple-negative breast cancers which are resistant to current treatment. PARP-1 inhibitor can be used both as a monotherapy to selectively kill cancer cells and also in combination.
