The efficacy and toxicity of ATM inhibition in glioblastoma initiating cells-driven tumor models.

The Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) is a major mechanism of resistance of glioblastoma (GB) - initiating cells (GICs) to radiotherapy. The closely related Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) is also involved in tumor resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. It has been shown that pharmacological inhibition of ATM protein may overcome the DDR-mediated resistance in GICs and significantly radiosensitize GIC-driven GB. Albeit not essential for life as shown by the decade-long lifespan of AT patients, the ATM protein may be involved in a number of important functions other than the response to DNA damage. We discuss our current knowledge about the toxicity of pharmacologic inhibition of ATM and ATR proteins.