Human Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease (APE1): An Emerging Anti-Cancer Biomarker

Human Apurinic/apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1 (APE1) is a key multifunctional protein essential for DNA base excision repair pathway (BER) involved in the repair of DNA base damage caused by alkylating damage and ionising radiation. In preclinical studies, APE1 depletion enhances cytotoxicity of therapeutic agents. Over-expression of APE1 is frequently seen in human tumours and may have prognostic/predictive significance in patients. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that APE1 is a viable anticancer drug target. In this review, we summarize relevant patents and recent studies that confirm that APE1 is an emerging biomarker, and a promising therapeutic target in cancer.