Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Carcinogenesis and Tumor Therapy

• Published in: Biochemistry (Moscow) 2020-10, Vol.85 (10), p.1254-1266
• Main Authors: Vostrikova, S. M., Grinev, A. B., Gogvadze, V. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active oxygen; Anticancer properties; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Apoptosis - drug effects; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bioorganic Chemistry; Cancer och onkologi; Cancer therapies; Carcinogenesis; Carcinogenesis - drug effects; Carcinogens; Cell death; Cell growth; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell- och molekylärbiologi; Chemical compounds; Development and progression; Dietary supplements; Enzymes; Humans; Klinisk medicin; Life Sciences; Lipids; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper; Metastases; Metastasis; Microbiology; Mortality; Mutation; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Oxygen; Pharmacology; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Review; Therapy; Tumor cells; Tumors
• ISSN: 0006-2979; 1608-3040; 1608-3040
• DOI: 10.1134/S0006297920100132

Strictly regulated balance between the formation and utilization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the basis of normal functioning of organisms. ROS play an important role in the regulation of many metabolic processes; however, excessive content of ROS leads to the development of various disorders, including oncological diseases, as a result of ROS-induced mutations in DNA. In tumors, high levels of oxygen radicals promote cell proliferation and metastasis. On the other hand, high content of ROS can trigger cell death, a phenomenon used in the antitumor therapy. Water- and lipid-soluble antioxidants, as well as antioxidant enzyme systems, can inhibit ROS generation; however, they should be used with caution. Antioxidants can suppress ROS-dependent cell proliferation and metastasis, but at the same time, they may inhibit the death of tumor cells if the antitumor therapeutic agents stimulate oxidative stress. The data on the role of antioxidants in the death of tumor cells and on the effects of antioxidants taken as dietary supplements during antitumor therapy, are contradictory. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which antioxidants can affect tumor and healthy cells.