Mutagenicity of topoisomerase targeting anticancer agents

3^rd World Congress on Cancer Science & Therapy

October 21-23, 2013 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Francisco Airport, CA, USA

Sabry M. Attia

Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Among the anticancer drugs currently used in the treatment of human malignancies, as well as several new series of drugs under development, are targeted at topoisomerase enzymes. Besides of inducing cell death due to both ?mitotic catastrophe? and the induction of apoptosis, topoisomerase-targeted drugs can increase the frequency of cells bearing mutations. These cells can develop resistance to the therapeutic agents or may lead to the development of secondary tumours and abnormal reproductive outcomes. This talk focuses on the mutagenic properties of the topoisomerase inhibitors, which are front-line therapies for a variety of malignancies. In addition, the topoisomerase catalytic inhibitors that are in clinical trials as anticancer agents will be discussed. An understanding of the mechanisms of mutagenicity is important not only in advancing our understanding of the action of mutagens but also in terms of improving cancer chemotherapy. This will, in turn, help us to design and bring safer drugs to the market. The demonstrated mutagenicity profile of topoisomerase inhibitors may support further development of effective topoisomerase inhibitors with less mutagenicity because such genomic alterations might result in an increased risk of birth defects, genetic disease or cancer in the children of cancer survivors.