Abstract

Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an altered redox status have long been observed in cancer cells, and recent studies suggest that this biochemical property of cancer cells can be exploited for therapeutic benefits. Cancer cells in advanced stage tumours frequently exhibit multiple genetic alterations and high oxidative stress, suggesting that it might be possible to preferentially eliminate these cells by pharmacological ROS insults. However, the upregulation of antioxidant capacity in adaptation to intrinsic oxidative stress in cancer cells can confer drug resistance. Abrogation of such drug-resistant mechanisms by redox modulation could have significant therapeutic implications. We argue that modulating the unique redox regulatory mechanisms of cancer cells might be an effective strategy to eliminate these cells.

Author affiliations

1. Department of Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
2. Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathum-thani, Thailand.
3. Universite Paris Descartes, Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris, EA1833, Hotel-Dieu, Service d'oncologie médicale, France.

Correspondence to: Peng Huang¹ Email: phuang@mdanderson.org

Published online 29 May 2009

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