Over the past decade a complex role for DNA damage response (DDR) in tumorigenesis has emerged. A proficient DDR has been shown to be a primary cause for cellular resistance to the very many DNA damaging drugs, and IR, that are widely used as standard-of-care across multiple cancer types. It has also been shown that defects in this network, predominantly within the ATM mediated signaling pathway, are commonly observed in cancers and may be a primary event during tumorigenesis. Such defects may promote a genomically unstable environment, facilitating the persistence of mutations, any of which may provide a growth or survival advantage to the developing tumor. In addition, these somatic defects provide opportunities to exploit a reliance on remaining repair pathways for survival, a process which has been termed synthetic lethality. As a result of all these observations there has been a great interest in targeting the DDR to provide anti-cancer agents that may have benefit as monotherapy in cancers with high background DNA damage levels or as a means to increase the efficacy of DNA damaging drugs and IR. In this book we will review a series of important topics that are of great interest to a broad range of academic, industrial and clinical researchers, including the basic science of the DDR, its role in tumorigenesis and in dictating response to DNA damaging drugs and IR. Additionally, we will focus on the several proteins that have been targeted in attempts to provide drug candidates, each of which appear to have quite distinct profiles and could represent very different opportunities to provide patient benefit.

This book discusses the latest developments in Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor drug development. It focuses on the translational and clinical development of the latest drugs, as well as the evidence for regulatory approval of PARP inhibitors in multiple different molecular subtypes and tumor indications. The most-up-to-date information on basic scientific research on DNA repair pathways and the DNA Damage Response (DDR) is also covered. Every chapter contains insight into the preclinical, translational along with clinical aspects of a specific DDR inhibitor with key and expert opinion points reinforcing the most important concepts detailed to enable the reader to develop a deep understanding of the topic. Targeting the DNA Damage Response for Cancer Therapy comprehensively reviews the application of PARP and other DDR inhibitors across oncology disciplines. Therefore, it is a valuable resource for all medical professionals and researchers who use or who are researching the use of these inhibitors on a day-to-day basis.

Topic Editor Christian Reinhardt has received funding from companies Gilead, and lecture fees from Abbvie, Merck, and AstraZeneca. All other topic editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

In all organisms, the DNA replication machinery is responsible for accurate and efficient duplication of the chromosome. Inhibitors of replication proteins are commonly used in anti-cancer and anti-viral therapies. This eBook on “The DNA Replication Machinery as Therapeutic Targets” examines the normal functions of replication proteins as well as strategies to target each step during the replication process including DNA unwinding, DNA synthesis, and DNA damage bypass and repair. Articles discuss current strategies to develop drugs targeting DNA replication proteins as well as future outlooks and needs.

Frontiers in Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery is a book series devoted to publishing the latest advances in anti-cancer drug design and discovery. In each volume, eminent scientists contribute reviews relevant to all areas of rational drug design and drug discovery including medicinal chemistry, in-silico drug design, combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening, drug targets, recent important patents, and structure-activity relationships. The book series should prove to be of interest to all pharmaceutical scientists involved in research in anti-cancer drug design and discovery. The book series is essential reading to all scientists involved in drug design and discovery who wish to keep abreast of rapid and important developments in the field. The ninth volume of the series features chapters covering the following topics: - New research on the therapeutic intervention of cancer and cancer drug delivery - Dabrafenib usage in melanoma therapy - Targeting autophagy in cancer therapy - Pro-apoptotic and anti-telomerase activity of naturally occurring compounds - CDK inhibitors - Oral nanostructure drug delivery for anti-cancer treatment

Cancer is the second leading cause of death. Every year, many anticancer drug candidates are discovered and synthesized, but the major challenge lies in identifying, characterizing and evaluating their efficacy. The aim of this Research Topic, "New Mechanisms for Anti-Cancer Drugs" is to collect a group of publications focused on novel chemical compounds exhibiting new modes of actions and/or new target proteins to fulfill their cytotoxic activity on cancer cells. In this context, we will also be pleased to consider studies on drug repurposing, including approved, discontinued, and shelved drugs, when anti-cancer activity results from an unexpected mode of action.

Cancer therapeutics include an ever-increasing array of tools at the disposal of clinicians in their treatment of this disease. However, cancer is a tough opponent in this battle, and current treatments, which typically include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, are not often enough to rid the patient of his or her cancer. Cancer cells can become resistant to the treatments directed at them, and overcoming this drug resistance is an important research focus. Additionally, increasing discussion and research is centering on targeted and individualized therapy. While a number of approaches have undergone intensive and close scrutiny as potential approaches to treat and kill cancer (signaling pathways, multidrug resistance, cell cycle checkpoints, anti-angiogenesis, etc.), other approaches have focused on blocking the ability of a cancer cell to recognize and repair the damaged DNA that primarily results from the front-line cancer treatments; chemotherapy and radiation. This comprehensive and timely reference focuses on the translational and clinical use of DNA repair as a target area for the development of diagnostic biomarkers and the enhancement of cancer treatment. - Saves academic, medical, and pharmaceutical researchers time in quickly accessing the very latest details on DNA repair and cancer therapy, as opposed to searching through thousands of journal articles - Provides a common language for cancer researchers, oncologists, and radiation oncologists to discuss their understanding of new molecular pathways, clinical targets, and anti-cancer drug development - Provides content for researchers and research clinicians to understand the importance of the breakthroughs that are contributing to advances in disease-specific research

DNA repair is a rapidly advancing field in biology and these systems represent a major defense mechanism against environmental and intracellular damaging agents such as sunlight, ionizing radiation, and reactive oxygen species. With contributions from eminent researchers, this book explores the basics and current trends in this critical field. Topics include carcinogenesis as a predictive and/or prognostic biomarker for cancer therapy, nucleotide excision repair, and tumor genetics and personalized medicine. The contributions provide essential information to scientists, pharmaceutical investigators, and clinicians interested in cancer therapy.