2003 Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 1-5
DNA topoisomerase type II alpha (Topo IIα) nuclear enzyme is associated with chemosensitivity, chemoresistance and cell proliferation in various neoplastic lesions. This study was performed to clarify whether the Topo IIα/Ki-67 labeling ratio (T/K ratio), which reflects Topo IIα expression level, has significant predictive value in determining response to chemotherapy in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). We retrospectively reviewed the case of 22 patients with OSCC treated with chemotherapy using a combination of cisplatin and 5-FU (CF therapy). Expression of Topo IIα and Ki-67 was examined by streptoavidin-biotin peroxidase using pretreatment biopsy specimens. A significant difference in the mean T/K ratio of the effective group and the ineffective group (P<0.005) was observed. Similar findings were found with regard to Ki-67-LI values (P<0.01). However, the difference was larger in T/K ratios than in Ki-67-LI values. No difference was observed between the chemotherapeutic effects in Topo II α-LI. The present results suggest that T/K ratios may lead to improved prediction of the effect of CF therapy.
