Variations Related to Resistance of Cancer Cells to Topoisomerase II Alpha Inhibitory Drugs

DNA topoisomerase II alpha (Top2-α) enzyme is an important target for many anticancer drugs. A variety of TOP2A genomic variants has been found associated with the development of drug resistance to this enzyme, resulting in chemotherapy resistance. Chemotherapy resistance is the ability of cancer cells to survive and grow despite anti-cancer therapies. Increasing information show that genomic variations such as mutations and polymorphisms play an important role in chemotherapy resistance. Here, the available information on mutations that affect the response of Top2-α to its inhibitory drugs was reviewed.