The role of ARID1A in malignant neoplasms of the female reproductive system: a modern view on diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities

Сhromatin remodeling tumor suppressor protein ARID1A (AT-rich interaction domain 1A) is coded by the ARID1A gene that is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human oncological diseases. Inactivating mutations in the ARID1A gene have a pronounced effect on cell survival, chemoresistance, transcription and cell cycle regulation. To date, a large number of studies have focused on assessing the effect of mutations leading to loss of ARID1A function on tumor emergence, progression and therapy resistance. The high frequency of ARID1A mutations in malignant tumors of the female reproductive system opens up unique opportunities for targeted preventive and therapeutic intervention. Clear cell ovarian carcinoma and uterine body cancer bearing ARID1A mutations do not respond well to standard chemotherapy proposing no current effective targeted therapy, which underlines a need for further research in the field. ARID1A can be used as a biomarker of precancerous diseases, as well as a tool for predicting a response to radiation therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Currently, clinical trials assessing several low molecular weight and epigenetic inhibitors are being conducted in tumors of the female reproductive system with ARID1A deficiency.