Dual Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and their Application in Cancer Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical mediators in cellular processes, with implications for cancer development and progression.
• The complex role of ROS in cancer involves both promoting tumor initiation and progression, and potentially inhibiting tumor growth.
• Cancer cells exhibit adaptive mechanisms to counteract ROS-induced damage, influencing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the bidirectional regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the context of cancer.
• To explore the dual role of ROS in cancer initiation, development, immune evasion, invasion, and metastasis.
• To discuss the potential application of ROS accumulation in cancer treatment and prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current research on ROS in cancer.
• Analysis of ROS' impact on DNA, immune cells, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
• Examination of ROS-mediated inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of cell death pathways.

Main Results:

• Excess ROS can initiate cancer by damaging DNA and promote tumor progression by inhibiting immune cells and triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
• Massive ROS accumulation can inhibit tumor growth by suppressing proliferation pathways and inducing cancer cell death through apoptosis and ferroptosis.
• Cancer cells possess self-adaptation systems to overcome ROS-induced stress, highlighting a challenge in cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

• ROS exhibit a complex, dual role in cancer, acting as both a promoter and inhibitor of tumor development.
• Targeting ROS accumulation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, leveraging its cytotoxic effects.
• The dual nature of ROS and cancer cell adaptability are crucial considerations for effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies.