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Review
. 2023 Jan;97(1):103-120.
doi: 10.1007/s00204-022-03421-z. Epub 2022 Nov 28.

Molecular mechanisms behind ROS regulation in cancer: A balancing act between augmented tumorigenesis and cell apoptosis

Hardeep Singh Tuli  1 , Jagjit Kaur  2 , Kanupriya Vashishth  3 , Katrin Sak  4 , Ujjawal Sharma  1   5 , Renuka Choudhary  1 , Tapan Behl  6 , Tejveer Singh  7 , Sheetu Sharma  8 , Adesh K Saini  1 , Kuldeep Dhama  9 , Mehmet Varol  10 , Gautam Sethi  11
Affiliations
Review

Molecular mechanisms behind ROS regulation in cancer: A balancing act between augmented tumorigenesis and cell apoptosis

Hardeep Singh Tuli et al. Arch Toxicol. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

ROS include hydroxyl radicals (HO.), superoxide (O2..), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ROS are typically produced under physiological conditions and play crucial roles in living organisms. It is known that ROS, which are created spontaneously by cells through aerobic metabolism in mitochondria, can have either a beneficial or detrimental influence on biological systems. Moderate levels of ROS can cause oxidative damage to proteins, DNA and lipids, which can aid in the pathogenesis of many disorders, including cancer. However, excessive concentrations of ROS can initiate programmed cell death in cancer. Presently, a variety of chemotherapeutic drugs and herbal agents are being investigated to induce ROS-mediated cell death in cancer. Therefore, preserving ROS homeostasis is essential for ensuring normal cell development and survival. On account of a significant association of ROS levels at various concentrations with carcinogenesis in a number of malignancies, further studies are needed to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms and develop the possibilities for intervening in these processes.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Cancer; Inflammation; Metastasis; ROS; miRNA.

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References

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