The invention relates to double-stranded nucleic acid fragments comprising
a chemically modified backbone and at least 4-1000 bp, preferably 8-500
bp, and most preferably 16-200 bp. The disclosed molecules (DRIL
molecules) may interfere with DNA damage signaling and repair pathways,
in particular the non homologous NHEJ pathway of double-stranded break
repair. The invention discloses the application of the DRIL molecules as
adjuvant compositions to be used in association with a DNA breaking
treatment, particularly radiotherapy or chemotherapy, in combination with
a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in an efficient amount to be
introduced in the tumoral cell nuclei in order to trigger DNA repair
induced lethality (DRIL in short) of tumoral cells/tissues.