Synthetic lethal therapy based on targeting the vulnerability of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex-deficient cancers

The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is composed of approximately 15 subunits, and approximately 20% of all cancers carry mutations in the genes encoding these subunits. Most of the genetic alterations in these genes are loss-of-function mutations. The identification of vulnerability based on synthetic lethality in cancers with SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex deficiency contributes to precision medicine. The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is involved in transcription, DNA repair, DNA replication, and chromosomal segregation. Cancers with deficiency in the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex show increased vulnerability derived from the loss of these functions. Synthetic lethal targets have been identified based on vulnerabilities in the functions of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. In this review article, we propose a precision medicine strategy using chemotherapeutic methods, such as molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy, based on harnessing synthetic lethality in cancers with deficiency in the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.