Fig. 1: General overview of DNA damage response networks activate by DNA damage.

Once cellular DNA damage occurs, the DDR is activated to protect damaged DNA integrity. The cell cycle is paused to provide cells an opportunity to activate DNA repair mechanisms. When the DNA damage is severe, cell death programs are activated. Dashed arrows indicate altered mechanisms. Alterations in DDR networks may lead to the survival of cells with DNA damage, which eventually may lead to one of the main hallmarks of cancer: genomic instability. This figure was created with BioRender.com (granted a license “Academic License Terms”, No. UP246NTDHZ).