ReviewCellular responses to replication stress: Implications in cancer biology and therapy

•DNA replication is tightly controlled by a network and the network also involves in cellular response to replication stress.•Different interaction and modification result in different functions of one protein in DNA replication and replication stress.•Inadequate cellular response to replication stress leads to genomic instability.•The proteins in the network of DNA replication and replication stress are potential targets for cancer treatment.

DNA replication is essential for cell proliferation. Any obstacles during replication cause replication stress, which may lead to genomic instability and cancer formation. In this review, we summarize the physiological DNA replication process and the normal cellular response to replication stress. We also outline specialized therapies in clinical trials based on current knowledge and future perspectives in the field.