MRE11 and cancer: Pan-cancer analysis has revealed that RAD50 is the most frequently altered gene in MSI tumors.34 Also, mutations in and/or low expression of RAD50 have been associated with poor survival in multiple cancer types.23 24 RAD50 is part of the DNA damage repair Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN)-complex and depletion links to double-strand break accumulation and increased apoptosis independent of p53.35 Loss of RAD50 function may thus play a role in the tumorigenesis of these tumors.