Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41766523›Full record

ReviewCancer medicine2026

A Critical Analysis of the Impact of Etoposide as a Topoisomerase II Inhibitor in Cervical Cancer Treatment: A Review.

Nikitha Kotian, Yashaswini Reddy, Padmini Pai, Babitha Kampa Sundara

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cancer medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Nikitha KotianManipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Yashaswini ReddyDepartment of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8319-2419
Padmini PaiDepartment of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Babitha Kampa SundaraDepartment of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

Funding

Intramural funding MAHE/CDS/PHD/IMF/2023MRB Seed grant DOR/MRB/2023/SG-03
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEtoposide is a semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin and an FDA-approved topoisomerase II inhibitor that induces DNA strand breaks leading to cancer cell death. Cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with platinum-based chemotherapy constituting the standard of care. Although etoposide has demonstrated broad anticancer activity, its role in cervical cancer therapy is considered secondary and is mainly explored in combination regimens.

methodsThis review summarizes published clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the use of etoposide in cervical cancer, both as monotherapy and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. Emphasis is placed on treatment regimens, disease stages, routes of administration, limitations, and emerging strategies aimed at improving therapeutic outcomes.

resultsThe etoposide has been administered orally or intravenously and has shown clinical benefit primarily when used in combination therapies, including cisplatin, topotecan, mitomycin, epirubicin, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, bevacizumab, and adriamycin. Its application is mainly observed in FIGO stage IA2-IB2, as well as in recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. However, platinum-based regimens, particularly cisplatin or carboplatin combined with paclitaxel, topotecan, fluorouracil, or bevacizumab, remain superior in efficacy. Limitations such as drug resistance and systemic toxicity have restricted the widespread use of etoposide. Recent research has focused on nanocarriers, dual inhibitors, and polymeric implants to enhance its therapeutic index and reduce adverse effects.

conclusionWhile etoposide is an effective topoisomerase II inhibitor with proven anticancer activity, its role in cervical cancer remains adjunctive rather than primary. Combination-based strategies and advanced drug-delivery systems hold promise for improving its clinical utility. Continued research is essential to overcome resistance and toxicity, potentially expanding the therapeutic relevance of etoposide in cervical cancer management.

Indexed as

EtoposideTopoisomerase II InhibitorsUterine Cervical NeoplasmsAnimalsAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsFemaleHumansEtoposideTopoisomerase II Inhibitorscervical cancercombination therapyetoposidesensitivitytopoisomerase II

Identifiers

PMID41766523
PMCPMC12951210

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.