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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species ROS in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
Oxidative stress in cancer: from tumor and microenvironment remodeling to therapeutic frontiers
Xisong Liang1,2,3, Jiadi Weng1,2,3,4, Zhongyi You1,2,3,4
1Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress is a pathological condition of redox signaling dysregulation and macromolecular oxidative damage arising from elevated ROS levels. Oxidative stress interacts with tumor cell growth regulation and tumor microenvironment remodeling, and has been a critical hallmark of cancer. Targeting oxidative stress has garnered great attention in cancer therapy development. However, it is still challenging due to the complexity and heterogeneity of oxidative stress regulation across different cancers, and this encourages a comprehensive understanding of the oxidative stress network in cancers to overcome this obstacle. Therefore, we introduced the oxidative stress generation and regulatory network within tumor cells and discussed their roles in both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, we summarized the current therapeutic strategies and highlighted emerging clinical applications, providing an up-to-date overview of oxidative stress-based approaches. Particularly, their cross-application with immunotherapy and nanomedicine has provided an excellent opportunity to integrate multiple effects, exhibiting surpassing advantages. This review elaborates on oxidative stress in cancer biology and its therapeutic implications. By integrating current knowledge and the emerging coordination with immunotherapy and nanomedicine, we underscore the potential of oxidative stress-targeting approaches. Future research on overcoming therapeutic resistance and developing compatible platforms to combine multiple approaches will pave the way to cancer elimination.
Insights
Oxidative stress, an imbalance in reactive oxygen species (ROS), is key in cancer. Targeting this network offers new therapeutic strategies, especially when combined with immunotherapy and nanomedicine for better cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cellular Biology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Oxidative stress, characterized by redox signaling dysregulation and macromolecular damage from elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a critical hallmark of cancer.
- It significantly influences tumor cell growth and the tumor microenvironment, making it a key target for cancer therapy development.
- Challenges in targeting oxidative stress arise from its complex and heterogeneous regulation across different cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively understand the oxidative stress network within tumor cells and its role in cancer.
- To review current therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress in cancer.
- To highlight emerging clinical applications and the potential of oxidative stress-based approaches, particularly in combination therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on oxidative stress generation and regulation in cancer.
- Analysis of the roles of oxidative stress in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment.
- Summarization of current and emerging therapeutic strategies, including combinations with immunotherapy and nanomedicine.
Main Results:
- Oxidative stress networks are integral to cancer biology, affecting tumor cells and their microenvironment.
- Current therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress show promise but face challenges due to cancer heterogeneity.
- Combinations of oxidative stress-targeting therapies with immunotherapy and nanomedicine offer synergistic advantages.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress is a crucial target for cancer therapy, with significant implications for cancer biology.
- Integrating oxidative stress-targeting approaches with immunotherapy and nanomedicine presents a promising avenue for enhanced cancer treatment.
- Future research should focus on overcoming therapeutic resistance and developing platforms for combined therapies to achieve cancer elimination.
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