title: Redox Homeostasis and Cellular Antioxidant Systems: Crucial Players in Cancer Growth and Therapy.
abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their products are components of cell signaling pathways and play important roles in cellular physiology and pathophysiology. Under physiological conditions, cells control ROS levels by the use of scavenging systems such as superoxide dismutases, peroxiredoxins, and glutathione that balance ROS generation and elimination. Under oxidative stress conditions, excessive ROS can damage cellular proteins, lipids, and DNA, leading to cell damage that may contribute to carcinogenesis. Several studies have shown that cancer cells display an adaptive response to oxidative stress by increasing expression of antioxidant enzymes and molecules. As a double-edged sword, ROS influence signaling pathways determining beneficial or detrimental outcomes in cancer therapy. In this review, we address the role of redox homeostasis in cancer growth and therapy and examine the current literature regarding the redox regulatory systems that become upregulated in cancer and their role in promoting tumor progression and resistance to chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3056-6569
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marengo
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariapaola
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1997-0678
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nitti
authors.affiliation: Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Lisa
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3538-2056
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Furfaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4644-4163
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colla
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara De
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ciucis
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto Maria
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4843-2254
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Marinari
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Adelaide
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0487-1156
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pronzato
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0306-8647
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Traverso
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5003-7333
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Domenicotti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species