The Complex Interplay between Antioxidants and ROS in Cancer

Isaac S Harris; Gina M DeNicola

doi:10.1016/j.tcb.2020.03.002

The Complex Interplay between Antioxidants and ROS in Cancer

Trends Cell Biol. 2020 Jun;30(6):440-451. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.03.002. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Authors

Isaac S Harris¹, Gina M DeNicola²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Genetics and Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Electronic address: Isaac_Harris@URMC.Rochester.edu.
² Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address: Gina.DeNicola@moffitt.org.

PMID: 32303435
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.03.002

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in tissue homeostasis, cellular signaling, differentiation, and survival. In this review, we discuss the types ofROS, their impact on cellular processes, and their pro- and antitumorigenic effects. Further, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of both endogenous and exogenous antioxidants in tumorigenic processes. Finally, wediscuss how aberrant activation of antioxidant programs by the transcription factor NFE2-related factor 2 (NRF2) influences tumorigenesis and metastasis, and where the current gaps in our knowledge remain.

Keywords: NRF2; ROS; antioxidant; cancer; glutathione.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antioxidants / metabolism*
Carcinogenesis / metabolism
Carcinogenesis / pathology
Humans
Inactivation, Metabolic
Neoplasms / metabolism*
Oxidation-Reduction
Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*

Substances

Antioxidants
Reactive Oxygen Species