Redox-Related Mechanisms to Rebalance Cancer-Deregulated Cell Growth

A delicate balance exists between the process of carcinogenesis and tissue regeneration. A number of malignant tumours are considered the outcome of an impaired or incomplete regeneration process, resulting in persistently dividing cells. Regeneration-competent tissues and animals are able to prevent and counteract growth abnormalities and seem to have a low vulnerability to chemical carcinogenesis. Cancer cell survival depends, among other things, on various redox-related mechanisms, which are targets of currently developed therapies. Disadvantages of these therapies are a lack of specificity and drug resistance. As the majority of these redox-related mechanisms also play an important role in successful and coordinated cell functioning and reproduction, the regeneration process offers a unique parallel context for modern cancer research. This review focuses on the interconnections between regeneration and carcinogenesis and how an understanding of regenerative forces and redox-controlled mechanisms could contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets to block the growth and survival of cancer cells.