Objective To investigate the expression of topoisomeraseⅡα (TOP2α) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its role in predicting prognosis of HCC patients. Methods We used HCC-related datasets in UALCAN, HCCDB, and cBioPortal databases to analyze the expression and mutation of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes in HCC tissues. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes were identified. The TIMER database was used to analyze infiltration levels of immune cells in HCC. The impacts of TOP2α and its co-expression genes and the infiltrated immune cells on the survival of HCC patients were assayed by Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis. Results TOP2α and its co-expression genes were highly expressed in HCC (P< 0.001) and detrimental to overall survival of HCC patients (P< 0.001). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mainly involved in cell mitosis and proliferation, and cell cycle pathway (ID: hsa04110, P = 0.001945). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mutated in HCC and the mutations were significantly detrimental to overall survival (P = 0.0247) and disease-free survival (P = 0.0265) of HCC patients. High TOP2α expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of B cell (r = 0.459, P< 0.01), CD8⁺ T cell (r = 0.312, P< 0.01), CD4⁺ T cell (r = 0.370, P< 0.01), macrophage (r = 0.459, P< 0.01), neutrophil (r = 0.405, P< 0.01), and dendritic cell (r = 0.473, P< 0.01) in HCC. The CD8⁺ T cell infiltration significantly prolonged the 3- and 5-year survival of HCC patients (all P< 0.05), and CD4⁺ T cell infiltration significantly shortened the 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival of HCC patients (all P< 0.05). ConclusionTOP2α may be an oncogene, which was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients and could be used as a biomarker for the prognostic prediction of HCC.
Humans ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Computational Biology ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Prognosis ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II/genetics*

Topoisomerases are nuclear enzymes that regulate the overwinding or underwinding of DNA helix during replication, transcription, recombination, repair, and chromatin remodeling. These enzymes perform topological transformations by providing a transient DNA break, through which the unique problems of DNA entanglement that occur owing to unwinding and rewinding of the DNA helix can be resolved. In mammals, topoisomerases are classified into two types, type I topoisomerase (Top1) and type II topoisomerase (Top2), depending on the number of strands cut in one round of action. Top1 induces single-strand breaks in DNA, and Top2 induces double-strand breaks. In cells from vertebrate species, there are two forms of Top2, designated alpha and beta. Top2α is involved in the cellular proliferation and pluripotency, while Top2β plays key roles in neurodevelopment. In this review, we cover recent advances in structural, mechanistic and functional insights into Top2.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Replication ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEHomeopathic nosodes have seldom been scientifically validated for their anticancer effects. This study was conducted to examine if a recently developed hepatitis C nosode has demonstrable anticancer potential in cancer cells in vitro.

METHODSAnticancer effects of Hepatitis C 30C (Hep C 30), if any, were initially tested on three cancer cell lines, HepG2 (liver cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and A549 (lung cancer) and one normal liver cell line WRL-68 cells and subsequently a more thorough study using further scientific protocols was undertaken on HepG2 cells (against WRL-68 cells as the normal control) as HepG2 cells showed better anticancer response than the other two. Three doses, one at 50% lethal dose (LD50) and the other two below LD50, were used on HepG2 cells subsequently. Protocols like apoptosis induction and its possible signaling mechanism were deployed using immunoblots of relevant signal proteins and confocal microscopy, with particular reference to telomerase and topoisomerase II (Top II) activities, two strong cancer biomarkers for their direct relationship with divisional activities of cells and DNAs.

RESULTSHep C 30 induced apoptosis, caused distorted cell morphology typical of apoptotic cells, increased reactive oxygen species generation and produced increased DNA nicks. Further it enhanced pro-apototic signal proteins like Bax, cytochrome c and inhibited anti-apoptotic signal proteins, Bcl-2, cytochrome c and caspase-3, changed mitochondrial membrane potential and caused externalization of phosphatidylserine. The drug also decreased expression of two cancer biomarkers, Top II and telomerase, consistent with its anticancer effect.

CONCLUSIONHep C 30 has demonstrable anticancer effects against liver cancer cells in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepacivirus ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; Materia Medica ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; physiology ; Telomerase ; metabolism

There is a conserved ATPase domain in topoisomerase II (topo II) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) which belong to the GHKL (gyrase, Hsp90, histidine kinase, and MutL) family. The inhibitors that target each of topo II and Hsp90 are intensively studied as anti-cancer drugs since they play very important roles in cell proliferation and survival. Therefore the development of dual targeting anti-cancer drugs for topo II and Hsp90 is suggested to be a promising area. The topo II and Hsp90 inhibitors, known to bind to their ATP binding site, were searched. All the inhibitors investigated were docked to both topo II and Hsp90. Four candidate compounds as possible dual inhibitors were selected by analyzing the molecular docking study. The pharmacophore model of dual inhibitors for topo II and Hsp90 were generated and the design of novel dual inhibitor was proposed.
Adenosine Triphosphatases* ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Binding Sites ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II* ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Histidine ; Hot Temperature* ; Humans ; Phosphotransferases

OBJECTIVETo investigate histone acetylation modification of topoisomerase enzyme Ⅱα (TOPOⅡα) promoter regulation factors in patients with chronic benzene poisoning, to explore the possible regulatory mechanism of TOPOⅡα involved in toxicity of chronic benzene poisoning;

METHODSThe bone marrow samples were from 25 chronic benzene poisoning cases and 25 controls. The Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was carried out to study the possible mechanism of TOPOⅡα promoter regulation factors expression changes. TOPOⅡα promoter regulation factors mRNA were detected by RT-PCR technique.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the control, the histone H4 acetylation, histone H3 acetylation level of TOPOⅡα promoter regulation factors SP1, ATF-2, SP3, NF-YA, P53, C-MYB, ICBP90, NF-M in chronic benzene poisoning patients decreased, with the significant difference (P<0.05) , except for C-JUN (P>0.05) ; (2) The mRNA expression of TOPOⅡαpromoter regulation factors SP1, NF-YA, C-MYB, C-JUN and NF-M were significantly lower than in the control with the significant difference (P<0.05) , while the expression of SP3、P53 mRNA increased (P<0.05) , ATF-2、ICBP90 mRNA wasn't changed (P>0.05) .

CONCLUSION(1) Chronic benzene poisoning TOPO Ⅱα promoter regulation factors histone modification changes accompanied with mRNA level changed. (2) Histone acetylation modification of topoisomerase enzyme Ⅱα promoter regulation factors takes important role in the benezen's Hematopoietic toxicity.

Acetylation ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ; Chronic Disease ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Poisoning ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

To detect the expressions of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and Topo IIα in breast cancer, and to analyze the clinical significance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the anthracycline-based drugs.
 Methods: The HER2 and Topo IIα gene and protein expressions in cancer tissues from 189 patients with breast cancer were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). And the objective response rate (ORR) and pathological complete rate (pCR) were analyzed.
 Results: The HER2 protein expression in 46 patients (24.3%) and Topo IIα protein expression in 55 patients (29.1%) was 3+ by IHC or they were 49 (25.9%) and 94 (49.0%) by FISH, respectively. The ORR and pCR in HER2 negative or positive patients were 47.4% and 20.3% or 32.7% and 16.3%, respectively, with significant differences (All P<0.05). The ORR and pCR in Topo IIα positive or negative patients were 69.1% and 36.0% or 28.4% and 2.2%, respectively, with significant differences (All P<0.05).
 Conclusion: FISH and IHC were consistent in the determination of HER2 expression whereas they were inconsistent in the determination of Topo IIα expression. The amplification of Topo IIα can effectively improve the effect of the adjuvant treatment effect of the anthracyclines.
Anthracyclines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; Breast Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics ; therapy ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; physiology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the quantification and significance of Msx2, topoII-α; HPV16 and VEGF in sinonasal inverted papilloma(SNIP), to study the correlation among the four factors,and to discover the relationship between Msx2 and topoII-α in the process of SNIP malignant transfomation. METHOD: Real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of Msx2, topoII-α, HPV16 and VEGF in 13 cases of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP), 10 cases of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma(NSCC) and 10 cases of inflammatory nasal polyp paraffin (INP)tissues. According to the pathology results SNIP were divided into mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia. All the data were analysised by SPSS17. 0, P<0. 05 was refered to statistically significant difference. RESULT: The mRNA level of Msx2, topoII-α, VEGF and HPV16 in SNIP, NSCC tissues were significantly higher than in the INP tissues (P<0. 05). The expression differences of Msx2, topoII-α, HPV16 and VEGF mRNA level in SNIP tissues which were divided into three groups according to their pathological results,were all statistically significantly different between any two of the three groups (P< 0. 05). Using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis,we found positive correlation between any two of the mRNA level of Msx2, topoII-α, VEGF and HPV16 (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION Msx2 and topoII-α may play an important role in the process of SNIP Malignant transformation,which may be new targets for gene therapy of SNIP and NSCC.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; physiology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; physiology ; Genes, Homeobox ; Homeodomain Proteins ; physiology ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans ; Nose Neoplasms ; genetics ; Papilloma, Inverted ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the inhibitory effect of sorafenib and 5-Fu on transplanted human liver cancer in nude mice, and to investigate the synergistic effect and mechanism between sorafenib and 5-Fu.

METHODSThe nude mouse model of human liver cancer was made by transplantation of human highly metastatic liver cancer cell line HCCLM3 cells, and the tumor-bearing nude mice were treated with sorafenib, 5-Fu or both, respectively, and mock-treated tumor-bearing nude mice as negative control. To assess the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib and the synergistic effect of sorafenib combined with 5-Fu by measuring the tumor weight and number of lung metastases. Moreover, the expressions of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and topoisomerase 2-alpha (Topo IIa) in the nude mice were assayed by immunocytochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe tumor weights and numbers of lung metastases were: (2.7 ± 0.825) g and 12.714 ± 6.317 in the negative control group, (0.933 ± 0.333) g and 4.333 ± 3.983 in the sorafenib group, (0.786 ± 0.212) g and 5.429 ± 4.315 in the Sorafenib + 5-Fu combination group, and (2.438 ± 0.793) g and 10.429 ± 6.241 in the 5-Fu group. Statistically, the tumor weights and numbers of lung metastases in the sorafenib group and combination group were significantly decreased, compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the tumor weight and number of lung metastases between the sorafenib group and the combination treatment group (P > 0.05). The expression levels of p-ERK, P-gp and Topo IIa proteins in the tumors after normalization were: negative control (0.017 ± 0.010, 0.085 ± 0.012, 0.103 ± 0.093), sorafenib group (0.010 ± 0.008, 0.044 ± 0.020, 0.020 ± 0.018), combination group (0.011 ± 0.007, 0.043 ± 0.023, 0.062 ± 0.026), and 5-Fu group (0.018 ± 0.009, 0.063 ± 0.032, 0.065 ± 0.034), respectively. Statistically, the expression of p-ERK, P-gp and Topo IIa in the Sorafenib group was significantly reduced compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the expression of p-ERK, P-gp and Topo IIa between the sorafenib group and the combination treatment group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSorafenib can inhibit not only the tumor growth and lung metastsis in the nude mouse models, but also reduce the expression of multidrug resistance proteins P-gp and Topo IIa as well. There is no significant advantage for the sorafenib + 5-Fu combination treatment than Sorafenib alone in inhibiting the expression of p-ERK, P-gp and Topo IIa.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Niacinamide ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Phenylurea Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis of ESCC patients.

METHODSReal-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to determine the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal cancer tissue and corresponding normal mucosa of 81 cases. Immunohistochemical technique was applied to detect the expression of p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP). The association of miRNA-106a expression with clinicopathological features, expression of related proteins, and prognosis of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 81 cases, under-expression of miRNA-106a gene was found in 48 cases (59.3%), normal expression in 22 cases (27.2%), and overexpression in 11 cases (13.6%). The expression of miRNA-106 gene was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, pathological stage, and nerve invasion (all P < 0.05), significantly associated with expression of p53 (P = 0.006), and not significantly associated with expressions of HER-2, Topo II and MRP proteins (all P > 0.05). The expression of miRNA-106a gene was also significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS, P = 0.032), but not significantly with overall survival (OS, P = 0.486). The results of Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the PFS of ESCC patients was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.029), but not correlated with the age, gender, tumor length, T stage, degree of differentiation, nerve invasion, and miRNA-106a expression (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, the miRNA-106a gene is under-expressed, with tumor suppressor function, and may be regarded as a biological marker to assess the prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

Naphthyridine compounds are important, because they exhibit various biological activities including anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. Some naphthyridines have antimitotic effects or demonstrate anticancer activity by inhibiting topoisomerase II. These compounds have been investigated as potential anticancer agents, and several compounds are now part of clinical trials. A series of naphthyridine derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against human cervical cancer (HeLa), leukemia (HL-60), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cell lines using an MTT assay. Some compounds (14, 15, and 16) were more potent than colchicine against all three human cancer cell lines and compound (16) demonstrated potency with IC50 values of 0.7, 0.1, and 5.1 microM, respectively. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) were used for quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) molecular modeling of these compounds. We obtained accurate and predictive three-dimensional QSAR (3D-QSAR) models as indicated by the high PLS parameters of the HeLa (q2, 0.857; r2, 0.984; r2pred, 0.966), HL-60 (q2, 0.777; r2, 0.937; r2pred, 0.913), and PC-3 (q2, 0.702; r2, 0.983; r2pred, 0.974) cell lines. The 3D-QSAR contour maps suggested that the C-1 NH and C-4 carbonyl group of the naphthyridine ring and the C-2 naphthyl ring were important for cytotoxicity in all three human cancer cell lines.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Cell Line ; Colchicine ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; Humans* ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Leukemia* ; Models, Molecular ; Naphthyridines ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Structure-Activity Relationship* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*