title: [Oxidative stress in patients with cancer: two sides of the same coin].
abstract: Oxidative stress is a biochemical condition of imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant defence mechanisms. Cancer is an inducing oxidative stress disease. Metabolic changes in neoplastic cells, tumor infiltration by inflammatory cells, malnutrition and specific cancer treatment contribute to high levels of oxidative stress in cancer patients. The toxic effects of oxidative stress on normal cells could be counteracted by use of antioxidants, even though they may abrogate the harmful effects of oxidative stress on tumor cells and prevent apoptosis. Thus, currently, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of antioxidants in patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto Catalán de Oncología, Girona, España.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viñas
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.forename: Rut
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Porta
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants