Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes
08:32

Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes

Published on: May 23, 2025

Targeting cancer cells by ROS-mediated mechanisms: a radical therapeutic approach?

Dunyaporn Trachootham1, Jerome Alexandre, Peng Huang

  • 1Department of Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|May 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cancer cells exhibit increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and altered redox status, offering therapeutic potential. Targeting cancer

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer cells often display elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and altered redox states.
  • Advanced tumors show genetic alterations and high oxidative stress, suggesting targeted ROS therapy potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore exploiting cancer cells' unique redox properties for therapeutic benefit.
  • To investigate overcoming drug resistance via redox modulation in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ROS generation and antioxidant capacity in cancer cells.
  • Evaluation of pharmacological ROS insults and redox modulators.

Main Results:

  • Cancer cells' intrinsic oxidative stress can be targeted.
  • Upregulated antioxidant capacity confers drug resistance.
  • Redox modulation can abrogate drug-resistant mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Modulating cancer cells' unique redox regulatory mechanisms is a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • Targeting redox status offers a novel approach to cancer treatment and overcoming drug resistance.

More Related Videos

Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down08:59

Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down

Published on: December 11, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...