LAUSR

ABSTRACT DNA topoisomerase 2, which is ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells, is an essential nuclear enzyme that promotes cell survival by regulating DNA topology and chromatid separation. This enzyme has been validated as a target for anticancer agent screening. It can be poisoned by common chemotherapeutics, such as etoposide and doxorubicin, which leads to the accumulation of cytotoxic enzyme‐linked DNA double‐stranded breaks. However, recent studies have suggested that the topoisomerase 2a isozyme is predominantly responsible for the carcinogenic side effects associated with etoposide and doxorubicin chemotherapy. Thus, we need to find a promising topoisomerase 2‐targeting anticancer agent that avoids these carcinogenic side effects. Recent studies have found that cryptotanshinone has obvious anticancer activities against diverse cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that cryptotanshinone markedly decreases the steady‐state mRNA level of topoisomerase 2a, thereby decreasing the protein and activity levels of this enzyme. Moreover, cryptotanshinone exhibited dramatic in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity with low toxicity to normal tissues. Collectively, our findings support the development of cryptotanshinone as a promising candidate for treating cancer by targeting topoisomerase 2a. HIGHLIGHTSCryptotanshinone is a novel agent different from the existing topo‐2 targeting anti‐cancer drugs.Cryptotanshinone markedly decreases the mRNA level of topoisomerase 2a.Cryptotanshinone exhibited antitumor activity with low toxicity to normal tissues in a nude mouse xenograft model system.