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Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Synthesis and Bioconjugation of Thiol-Reactive Reagents for the Creation of Site-Selectively Modified Immunoconjugates
Published on: March 6, 2019
The relationship between adjuvant chemotherapy and thiol-disulfide compounds
Pınar Akyol1, Didem Şener Dede2, Burak Bilgin3
1Department of Hematology, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Chemotherapy (CT) disrupts thiol balance in cancer patients, increasing oxidative stress. This study observed a shift towards disulfide levels and elevated oxidative stress after CT sessions in breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Thiols are crucial organic compounds within the body's antioxidant system.
- Limited research exists on the impact of chemotherapy (CT) on thiol balance in cancer patients.
- Understanding thiol-disulfide homeostasis is vital for cancer treatment monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in thiol and disulfide levels during recurrent chemotherapy cycles.
- To evaluate the relationship between cancer type and changes in thiol compounds during CT.
- To assess the impact of CT on oxidative stress markers.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 40 healthy individuals and 40 newly diagnosed early-stage cancer patients (breast, ovary, endometrium) receiving adjuvant CT.
- Blood samples collected at baseline, and after the first and second CT sessions.
- Analysis of native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide/thiol ratios using a validated method.
Main Results:
- Cancer patients exhibited a pre-treatment thiol-disulfide imbalance, with lower native and total thiol levels compared to controls.
- Higher disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were observed in cancer patients.
- Chemotherapy significantly increased disulfide/thiol ratios post-treatment, indicating elevated oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Pre-chemotherapy thiol-disulfide balance is altered in cancer patients, shifting towards disulfide formation.
- Repetitive chemotherapy sessions appear to increase oxidative stress levels.
- This study provides novel insights into thiol compound dynamics during cancer therapy.
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