“A potential new mechanism for topotecan-induced apoptosis”.

P. A. VALDECANTOS, M. ROLDÁN OLARTE, E. I. YSLAS, E. PITON, V. RIVAROLA AND C. MERCHED WHITACRE.

Orlando, Florida, EEUU

Congreso; Florida Academy of Sciences 67th Meeting; 2003

University of Central Florida

A potential new mechanism for topotecan-induced apoptosis.  P.A. VALDECANTOS (1), M. ROLDAN-OLARTE (1), E.I YSLAS (2),  E. PYTON (3), V. RIVAROLA (2) AND C. MERCHED WHITACRE (3).  (1) Dev. Biol. Dept., National University of Tucuman, Argentina (2) Mol. Biol. Dept., University of Rio Cuarto, Argentina (3) SNHS-Biology, Barry University 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161.  We used HeLa F human cervical cancer cells confluent and in logarithmic growth to study the effect of the chemotherapeutic drug topotecan, on the levels of expression of p125 focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and cell adhesion. Cells were treated during 24-48 hs with increasing doses of topotecan (0.1-1 μM).  Our results suggest an alternative mechanism for TPT cytotoxicity: Inhibition of FAK-induced anoikis (Supported by NIH- NCI-K1CA77065 and MARC grant MBRS Rise 292553).