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The antifungi activity of DNA topoisomerase inhibitors

     Fungal infections represent the invasion of tissues by one or more species of fungi, such as Aspergillus and yeasts. Some fungal infections will trigger the body’s immune system, cause inflammation and tissue damage, and even lead to serious lung, blood (septicemia) or systemic diseases.
     Though there are all sorts of antibiotics available for the treatment of  bacterial infections, only one class of antifungal agents (the echinocandins) has been identified over the last decade but these antifungals don't have activity against all kinds of fungal infections.

      DNA topoisomerases are ubiquitously expressed enzymes that are observed in living organisms including invasive fungi, and the major role of topoisomerases is to prevent DNA tangling. Many anticancer and antibacterial drugs are confirmed to be the

inhibitors of DNA topoisomerases, therefore they may also have a potential effect against the growth of fungi.
     Accordingly, in the latest paper, Steverding et al. explored in vitro anti-fungi activity effect of eight DNA topoisomerase inhibitors. The results indicated that most DNA topoisomerase inhibitors, such as aclarubicin, doxorubicin and mitoxantrone showed little antifungal activity against some fungi, while only idarubicin exhibited a potent antifungal activity against four fungal isolates detected.
     Taken together, this study demonstrates that selected DNA topoisomerase inhibitors, such as idarubicin, are a potent compounds for the development of new antifungal agents.