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Updated: May 25, 2026

Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
[Oxidative stress in patients with cancer: two sides of the same coin]
Gemma Viñas1, Teresa Puig, Rut Porta
1Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto Catalán de Oncología, Girona, España.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress is a biochemical condition of imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant defence mechanisms. Cancer is an inducing oxidative stress disease. Metabolic changes in neoplastic cells, tumor infiltration by inflammatory cells, malnutrition and specific cancer treatment contribute to high levels of oxidative stress in cancer patients. The toxic effects of oxidative stress on normal cells could be counteracted by use of antioxidants, even though they may abrogate the harmful effects of oxidative stress on tumor cells and prevent apoptosis. Thus, currently, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of antioxidants in patients with cancer.
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