Title:Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Carcinogenesis and Integrative Therapy of Cancer
Volume: 20
Issue: 42
Author(s): Lidija Milkovic, Werner Siems, Renate Siems and Neven Zarkovic
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, carcinogenesis, redox signaling, anoikis, antioxidants, therapy.
Abstract: Oxidative stress is often considered as a causative factor in carcinogenesis. In addition, current knowledge recognizes oxidative
stress as a mechanism by which various cancer therapies act against cancer. To ameliorate the side effects of cancer therapy, many of
the patients suffering from cancer are subject to adjuvant therapy, which often implies antioxidant supplementation. Yet, the benefits of
such adjuvant treatments are still uncertain owing to the lack of appropriate integrative and personalized medical approach. In particular,
reactive oxygen species formed during oxidative stress and products of lipid peroxidation are not only cytotoxic, but can modulate signal
transduction in cells, which also behave similar to individuals under stress. Accordingly, pro-oxidants and antioxidants might be considered
as modifiers of specific cellular redox signaling. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the potential benefits of antioxidant supplements
in healthy persons, and in particular in cancer patients during therapy. Our review will present a summary of the existing knowledge
regarding the effects of various antioxidants in cancer therapies, focusing on cellular adaptation to oxidative stress interacting with
redox signaling transduction pathways thereby influencing cell growth.
