Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species ROS in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
The Double-Faced Role of Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species in Solid Tumors
Sanja Mijatović1, Ana Savić-Radojević2, Marija Plješa-Ercegovac2
1Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research"Siniša Stanković" National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia.
Abstract:
Disturbed redox homeostasis represents a hallmark of cancer phenotypes, affecting cellular metabolism and redox signaling. Since reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) are involved in regulation of proliferation and apoptosis, they may play a double-faced role in cancer, entailing protumorigenic and tumor-suppressing effects in early and later stages, respectively. In addition, ROS and RNS impact the activity and communication of all tumor constituents, mediating their reprogramming from anti- to protumorigenic phenotypes, and vice versa. An important role in this dichotomic action is played by the variable amounts of O2 in the tumor microenvironment, which dictates the ultimate outcome of the influence of ROS/RNS on carcinogenesis. Moreover, ROS/RNS levels remarkably influence the cancer response to therapy. The relevance of ROS/RNS signaling in solid tumors is witnessed by the emergence of novel targeted treatments of solid tumors with compounds that target ROS/RNS action and production, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, which might contribute to the complexity of redox regulation in cancer. Prospectively, the dual role of ROS/RNS in the different stages of tumorigenesis through different impact on oxidation and nitrosylation may also allow development of tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Insights
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) have a dual role in cancer, promoting early tumor growth and suppressing later stages. Their signaling impacts tumor progression and therapy response, offering potential for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Disturbed redox homeostasis is a key feature of cancer, influencing cell metabolism and signaling.
- Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) play a complex role in cancer, affecting proliferation and apoptosis.
- ROS/RNS impact tumor microenvironment and communication between cancer cells, influencing phenotype reprogramming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the dual role of ROS/RNS in cancer development and progression.
- To investigate the influence of oxygen levels in the tumor microenvironment on ROS/RNS effects.
- To examine the impact of ROS/RNS on cancer therapy response and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on redox homeostasis in cancer.
- Analysis of the role of ROS/RNS in different stages of tumorigenesis.
- Examination of the interplay between oxygen levels, ROS/RNS, and cancer cell behavior.
Main Results:
- ROS/RNS exhibit a dichotomous role, promoting tumors in early stages and suppressing them in later stages.
- Tumor microenvironment oxygen levels critically determine the ultimate effect of ROS/RNS on carcinogenesis.
- ROS/RNS signaling significantly influences cancer response to various therapies, including targeted treatments.
Conclusions:
- The dual role of ROS/RNS in cancer suggests complex redox regulation.
- Understanding ROS/RNS signaling in different tumor contexts is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Targeting ROS/RNS pathways holds promise for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in oncology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
01:46Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
02:49Cancer Therapies
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...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
01:24Peroxisomes