Dna damaging agents in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Abstract

The present invention relates to the signalling pathways connecting DNA damage, such as that induced by ionizing radiation or alkylating agents, and phosphorylation by tyrosine kinases.

1 . A process of selectively activating the lyn family of Src-like tyrosine kinases in a cell that expresses the lyn gene, the process comprising exposing the cell to an effective activating dose of ionizing radiation. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the lyn family of Src-like tyrosine kinases comprises p56/p53 lyn . 
     
     
         3 . A process of stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of Src-like tyrosine kinase substrates comprising exposing a cell that expresses the lyn gene to an effective activating dose of ionizing radiation. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the substrate is phospholipase C-γ1, phospholipase C-γ2, mitogen-activated protein kinase GTPase activating protein, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, enolase or p34 cdc2 . 
     
     
         5 . A process of altering the response of a cell that expresses the lyn gene to ionizing radiation comprising inhibiting the activity of Src-like tyrosine kinase. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein the Src-like tyrosine kinase is p56/p53 lyn . 
     
     
         7 .- 21 . (canceled)