Mesenchymal stem cells exhibit resistance to topoisomerase inhibition

•Bone marrow suppression is commonly the dose-limiting toxicity of topoisomerase-inhibiting anticancer drugs.•Mesenchymal stem cells are resistant to topoisomerase inhibition and maintain their defining functional stem cell properties.•Mesenchymal stem cells efficiently repair DNA damage induced by topoisomerase I and II inhibitors.•Mesenchymal stem cell infusions may be investigated as a therapy for topoisomerase inhibitor-induced bone marrow damage.