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Antioxidant Therapy in Cancer: Rationale and Progress

Maochao Luo1,2, Li Zhou2, Zhao Huang2

  • 1School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 24, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cancer involves increased oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant therapies show promise but lack proven clinical efficacy, necessitating further research for effective cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cancer is linked to elevated oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants.
  • Increased ROS can drive carcinogenesis by causing mutations and activating pro-oncogenic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the rationale and recent advances in antioxidant therapy for cancer.
  • To explore targeting ROS with various antioxidant strategies.
  • To provide insights into improving antioxidant therapy's clinical effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pre-clinical and clinical research on antioxidant therapy in cancer.
  • Examination of nonenzymatic antioxidants (e.g., NRF2 activators, vitamins, N-acetylcysteine, GSH esters).
  • Analysis of enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., NOX inhibitors, SOD mimics).

Main Results:

  • Antioxidant therapy targeting ROS is a potential cancer treatment strategy.
  • Numerous antioxidants show pre-clinical promise, but clinical efficacy is unproven.
  • Research is ongoing to enhance the effectiveness of these therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting oxidative stress is a rational approach for cancer treatment.
  • Further research and prospective therapeutic options are needed to improve clinical outcomes.
  • Optimizing antioxidant therapy could expand its role in cancer care.
Keywords:
antioxidantscancer therapyoxidative stressreactive oxygen species

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