Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that cancer cells may repeatedly damage their own DNA as they drive growth-related genes into overdrive. The study found that powerful DNA control regions, known as super-enhancers, place intense stress on the genome, creating frequent DNA breaks that cancer cells must continually repair. Although these repairs allow tumors to survive, they are not always perfect. Small errors introduced during the repair process can accumulate over time, generating new mutations that may help cancers evolve, spread, and become more resistant to treatment. The findings suggest that cancer’s dependence on these high-stress DNA regions could become a therapeutic weakness. By targeting the mechanisms that drive excessive gene activity or repair damaged DNA, researchers hope to develop new treatments that limit tumor growth and reduce its ability to adapt.
