DRUG-RESISTANCE TO TOPOISOMERASE-II INHIBITORS

We describe in this review the mechanisms of resistance to topoisomera se II inhibitors that have been identified in cell lines rendered resi stant to drugs. They concern especially both quantitative and qualitat ive alterations of topoisomerase II, leading to drug insensitivity of the cells. Expression and activity of topoisomerase II have also been studied in a number of tumor specimens originating from patients, but the role of topoisomerase II alterations in drug resistance in the cli nical setting has not yet been firmly established. It would be worthwh ile, however, to develop predictive assays for drug activity in human cancers, based upon the topoisomerase II status of tumor samples. ((C) Society francaise de biochimie et biologie moleculaire / Elsevier, Pa ris).