DNA double-strand break repair pathways, chromosomal rearrangements and cancer

Chromosomal rearrangements, which can lead to oncogene activation and tumour suppressor loss, are a hallmark of cancer cells. Such outcomes can result from both the repair and misrepair of DNA ends, which arise from a variety of lesions including DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), collapsed replication forks and dysfunctional telomeres. Here we review the mechanisms by which non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) repair pathways can both promote chromosomal rearrangements and also suppress them in response to such lesions, in accordance with their increasingly recognised tumour suppressor function. Further, we consider how chromosomal rearrangements, together with a modular approach towards understanding their etiology, may be exploited for cancer therapy.

► We consider the relationship between chromosomal rearrangements and cancer.
► We review the mechanisms by which non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) repair pathways can promote chromosomal rearrangements.
► We further consider how failed NHEJ and HR pathways can lead to chromosomal rearrangements.
► We present a modular view towards understanding chromosomal rearrangements.
► We consider how chromosomal rearrangements may be exploited for cancer therapy.