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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
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Published on: December 26, 2016
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Targeting catalase in cancer
Christophe Glorieux1, Pedro Buc Calderon2
1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, China.
Redox Biology
|October 24, 2024
Summary
Catalase, an antioxidant enzyme, is often decreased in cancer cells, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review explores catalase
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Healthy cells use antioxidants to manage reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- Cancer cells often have elevated ROS and altered antioxidant levels, including decreased catalase.
- Catalase detoxifies hydrogen peroxide, crucial for cellular defense against oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding catalase's role in cancer.
- To update knowledge on catalase expression, localization, and microbial catalase potential in tumors.
- To discuss catalase-based therapies for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of research on catalase and cancer over the last decade.
- Analysis of catalase's impact on cancer cell proliferation, metabolism, immune escape, and metastasis.
- Examination of therapeutic strategies involving catalase modulation.
Main Results:
- Decreased catalase in cancer cells contributes to ROS-driven proliferation and metastasis.
- Catalase regulates key cancer processes including metabolic reprogramming and immune evasion.
- Microbial catalases and therapeutic interventions show promise but have limitations.
Conclusions:
- Catalase plays a complex, multifaceted role in cancer progression and development.
- Understanding catalase regulation and function is critical for developing novel cancer therapies.
- Targeting catalase offers potential therapeutic avenues, requiring careful consideration of benefits and drawbacks.
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