DNA crosslink (induced by oxaliplatin)

DNA crosslinking by oxaliplatin refers to the formation of covalent bonds between platinum atoms from the drug oxaliplatin and nucleophilic sites on adjacent purine bases within the DNA molecule. This process primarily results in **intrastrand** and **interstrand** crosslinks—most commonly between adjacent guanines—which distort the helical structure of DNA. These lesions inhibit essential cellular processes such as **DNA replication** and **transcription**, ultimately triggering cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The cytotoxic effect is exploited therapeutically in cancer treatment, particularly for colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatin-induced lesions are structurally distinct from those caused by other platinum drugs like cisplatin; they cause less distortion to the helix but are still highly effective at blocking cellular proliferation. The repair mechanisms involved include nucleotide excision repair pathways; however, some types of oxaliplatin adducts are less efficiently recognized or repaired than those formed by cisplatin[1][4]. While "DNA crosslinking by oxaliplatin" describes a critical pharmacological event underlying drug efficacy, it is not itself a canonical molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme but rather a type of chemically induced damage to genetic material. Therefore, this entry does not represent a standard therapeutic target but rather an effect or mechanism through which drugs exert their action. Notable safety concerns associated with this mechanism include peripheral neuropathy due to off-target effects on neuronal cells as well as potential allergic reactions during administration[6]. Because "DNA crosslinking by oxaliplatin" is not itself a discrete protein or molecular entity but instead describes an induced chemical modification/damage event within genomic DNA, it should not be considered a canonical therapeutic target per se—it is more accurately described as an outcome or pharmacodynamic effect resulting from exposure to certain chemotherapeutic agents like oxaliplatin[1][5].

Other names

Platinum-DNA adductOxaliplatin-induced DNA lesionOxaliplatin-DNA crosslinkPlatinum-based DNA crosslink

Formation of intrastrand and interstrand DNA crosslinks that block replication and transcription, leading to cytotoxicity and apoptosis