Even stressed cells are individuals: second messengers of free radicals in pathophysiology of cancer.
Pathophysiological processes associated with disturbances in cell and tissue oxidative homeostasis, are associated with self-catalyzed process of lipid peroxidation. The end products of lipid peroxidation are reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), acting as "second messengers of free radicals." Although reactive aldehydes were first recognized only as cytotoxic, new evidence has come to light, related to their cell growth regulatory functions achieved through cell signaling. The variable appearance of HNE in several organs indicates that its mode of action might be related to an individual cell stress adaptation. The underlying mechanism could be that specific mutations and epigenetic changes on one hand interfere with hormesis on the other. The precise role of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in these processes still needs more clarification at molecular level. Finally, an individual approach to each patient, based on the individual cell response to stress, opens a new possibility of integrative medicine in cancer treatment and strongly supports modern concepts of personalized medicine.
Neven Zarkovic, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia, zarkovic@irb.hr.
Morana
M
Jaganjac
Tamara
T
Cacev
Ana
A
Cipak
Sanja
S
Kapitanović
Koraljka
K
Gall Troselj
Neven
N
Zarković
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D057285:Precision Medicine; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species