title: Potentiation of radiation response in human carcinoma cells in vitro and murine fibrosarcoma in vivo by topotecan, an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I.
abstract: DNA topoisomerase I, a nuclear enzyme important for solving topologic problems arising during DNA replication, has been identified as a principal target of a plant alkaloid, 20(s)-camptothecin. In view of the profound biochemical effects of camptothecin and its analogues on DNA replication and the differential cytotoxic effects on human tumors in xenografts, experiments were performed to determine whether topotecan, a camptothecin analogue, would potentiate the radiation effects on human carcinoma cells in culture and murine fibrosarcoma in mice. Cell culture studies showed that a dose dependent reduction in cell survival was obtained with a 4 hr exposure of the drug following irradiation of cells. No enhancement of cell killing was seen when cells were treated with the drug before irradiation. Preliminary in vivo tumor studies showed a significant radiosensitizing effect of topotecan that was both drug dose (20 mg/kg) and time sequence (4 hr before irradiation) dependent. There was no enhanced skin reaction following the combined treatments.
authors.affiliation: Henry Ford Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Detroit, MI 48202.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolozsvary
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Khil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D019772:Topotecan
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D019772:Topotecan; D002166:Camptothecin