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DNA topoisomerase I and IIα expression in penile carcinomas: assessing potential tumour chemosensitivity
Author(s) -
Berney Daniel M.,
Stankiewicz Elzbieta,
Adlan Ahmed M.A.,
Kudahetti Sakunthala,
Biedrzycki Olaf J.,
Hadway Paul,
Watkin Nick,
Corbishley Cathy
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2008.07698.x
Subject(s) - topoisomerase , etoposide , immunohistochemistry , biology , cancer research , chemotherapy , pathology , ki 67 , penile cancer , penis , dna , medicine , anatomy , genetics
OBJECTIVE To examine the tissue expression of DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I) and IIα (Topo II), to pursue the possibility of future chemotherapy regimens for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP), as high expression of Topo I might indicate sensitivity to the camptothecins, whereas high Topo II might indicate sensitivity to etoposide. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 73 patients with SCCP were reviewed and then tissue samples microarrayed. These were then stained with immunohistochemistry for Topo I, Topo II and Ki‐67. Tumour stage, grade and type were available. RESULTS Topo II showed a strong positive correlation with the proliferation index as measured by Ki‐67 ( P < 0.001) but no correlation with Topo I. There were also strong correlations between tumour grade and Ki‐67, and Topo II expression (both P < 0.001). Tumour type was also strongly correlated with Topo II and Ki‐67 expression, with the highest expression in basaloid carcinomas and the lowest in verrucous carcinomas. However, Topo I expression was not correlated with any other tumour variable. CONCLUSION The expression of Topo I is grade‐ and type‐independent, and chemotherapy using the camptothecins is unlikely to be effective. The strong positivity of Topo II in high‐grade and basaloid SCCPs suggests that treatment with etoposide or other Topo II ‘poisons’ might be a better target for future clinical trials.