MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Anticancer drugs targeting topoisomerase II for antifungal treatment

Summary

Researchers found that several anticancer drugs commonly used to treat human cancers can also effectively kill fungal infections, especially resistant strains of Candida. The most promising drug, idarubicin, works by targeting an essential enzyme in fungi called topoisomerase II, causing DNA damage and cell death. This discovery suggests a new strategy for treating serious fungal infections by repurposing existing cancer medications, particularly for patients with drug-resistant infections.

Background

Fungal infections are increasingly prevalent and often fatal, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. DNA topoisomerase II has been identified as essential for fungal viability and represents an underexplored target for antifungal therapy. Previous studies suggest certain anticancer drugs targeting human topoisomerase II may have antifungal potential.

Objective

To investigate the antifungal potential of eleven antitumor compounds targeting human topoisomerase II, either FDA-approved or in clinical trials. The study aimed to evaluate their effectiveness against fungal strains and establish whether fungal topoisomerase II represents a viable therapeutic target for antifungal chemotherapy.

Results

Idarubicin emerged as the most potent compound, effectively inhibiting five reference fungal strains and fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata. Idarubicin, epirubicin, and bisantrene showed greater inhibitory activity against yeast topoisomerase II than human counterparts. Idarubicin exhibited multifaceted mechanisms including nuclear DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress induction.

Conclusion

Fungal topoisomerase II targeting is worth considering for antifungal treatment development. Idarubicin and related compounds could serve as starting points for novel antifungal agents, though clinical application may require formulation optimization such as liposomal encapsulation to achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40102495, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93863-z
Scroll to Top