Immunohistochemical staining for DNA topoisomerase II in frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human tissues.

DNA topoisomerase II is the molecular target of several clinically useful chemotherapeutic drugs. The sensitivity of cells to drugs that target topoisomerase II is dependent on the cellular content of this enzyme. Drug-sensitive cells have elevated amounts of type II topoisomerase. To determine relative amounts of enzyme in malignant neoplasms, we developed an in situ immunohistochemical stain for topoisomerase II. The stain uses either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies produced against the alpha isoform of the enzyme. Staining can be done on both frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. By using this immunostain, we found marked differences in enzyme content in several human malignancies.