Deoxyribonucleic acid and cellular macromolecules (DNA/Macromolecules)

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and cellular macromolecules, including proteins and lipids, serve as critical but broad therapeutic targets in medicine. DNA is the fundamental repository of genetic information, and its structural integrity is vital for cellular replication and protein synthesis (Alberts et al., 2002). In oncology, many classic chemotherapeutic agents, such as alkylating agents and platinum complexes, target DNA to induce lethal damage in rapidly dividing cancer cells by forming covalent adducts or cross-links (Colvin, 2003). Cellular macromolecules like proteins and lipids are also targets for reactive drug metabolites or oxidative species, which can lead to altered cellular signaling or membrane disruption (Liebler, 2008). While these targets are effective for treating various cancers and infections, their lack of specificity often results in significant systemic toxicities, including bone marrow suppression and the potential for secondary cancers (NCI, 2023).

Other names

DNAGenomic DNACellular proteinsBiological macromoleculesCellular lipids

Drugs targeting these components typically function through covalent binding (alkylation), inter- and intra-strand cross-linking of DNA, intercalation between base pairs, or the induction of oxidative stress, which collectively disrupt DNA replication, RNA transcription, and the functional integrity of proteins and membranes (Colvin, 2003; Liebler, 2008).