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Targeting ROS in cancer: rationale and strategies
Christophe Glorieux1, Shihua Liu1, Dunyaporn Trachootham2
1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems are transient but essential molecules that are generated and eliminated by a complex set of delicately balanced molecular machineries. Disruption of redox homeostasis has been associated with various human diseases, especially cancer, in which increased ROS levels are thought to have a major role in tumour development and progression. As such, modulation of cellular redox status by targeting ROS and their regulatory machineries is considered a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Recently, there has been major progress in this field, including the discovery of novel redox signalling pathways that affect the metabolism of tumour cells as well as immune cells in the tumour microenvironment, and the intriguing ROS regulation of biomolecular phase separation. Progress has also been made in exploring redox regulation in cancer stem cells, the role of ROS in determining cell fate and new anticancer agents that target ROS. This Review discusses these research developments and their implications for cancer therapy and drug discovery, as well as emerging concepts, paradoxes and future perspectives.
Insights
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial for cell function. Targeting ROS and their regulatory pathways offers a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment and drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are vital molecules in biological systems, requiring delicate molecular balance.
- Disrupted redox homeostasis, particularly elevated ROS, is linked to human diseases like cancer, influencing tumor development.
- Modulating cellular redox status via ROS targets is a key strategy in cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding ROS and redox regulation in cancer.
- To explore novel redox signaling pathways impacting tumor and immune cell metabolism.
- To discuss the implications of ROS research for cancer therapy and drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research developments in ROS and cancer.
- Analysis of novel redox signaling pathways and their role in tumor microenvironment.
- Exploration of ROS regulation in cancer stem cells and cell fate determination.
Main Results:
- Discovery of new redox signaling pathways affecting tumor and immune cell metabolism.
- Insights into ROS regulation of biomolecular phase separation and its role in cancer.
- Identification of new anticancer agents targeting ROS and redox mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Recent progress highlights the significant role of ROS in cancer development and progression.
- Targeting ROS and redox pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
- Further research into ROS regulation offers potential for novel cancer drug discovery.
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