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. 1993 Jul;37(7):1543–1546. doi: 10.1128/aac.37.7.1543

Activity of topoisomerase inhibitors against Pneumocystis carinii in vitro and in an inoculated mouse model.

J A Fishman 1, S F Queener 1, R S Roth 1, M S Bartlett 1
PMCID: PMC188010  PMID: 8395791

Abstract

Five topoisomerase II inhibitors (amsacrine [m-AMSA], two epipodophyllotoxins, and two quinolones) and the alkaloid camptothecin (a topoisomerase I inhibitor) were evaluated to assess their activities against Pneumocystis carinii. In vitro, both etoposide (VP-16) and teniposide (VM-26) at 1 microgram/ml suppressed P. carinii growth. Amsacrine was toxic to P. carinii and to the feeder cells in vitro. Camptothecin suppressed the growth of P. carinii in vitro only at 100 micrograms/ml. Studies in immunosuppressed mice demonstrated the efficacy of teniposide against P. carinii pneumonia, but successful administration of teniposide was schedule dependent with significant toxicity at therapeutic dosages.

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Selected References

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