Redox platforms in cancer drug discovery and development

Redox homeostasis is frequently dysregulated in human disease, particularly cancer. Recent and ongoing efforts seek to validate and extend this platform for the discovery/development of anticancer drugs. As the primary source of cellular redox buffer, thiols (in particular glutathione) have been therapeutically targeted in cancer treatment, myeloproliferation, hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization and immune response. A number of 'redox modulating' drugs have been, or are, under development and the pipeline seems viable. Moreover, S-glutathionylation is a protein post-translational modification that influences a number of critical cell pathways and in the medium term, defining the 'glutathionome' has the possibility to provide opportunities for target identification for therapeutic intervention perhaps with a relevance that parallels ongoing efforts with the kinome.