BEYOND PATHOLOGIES: THE ROLE OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN CANCER PREVENTION AND TREATMENT IN HUMANS

Abstract

Traditionally associated with pathologies such as cardiovascular disease and ageing, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) have been shown to have crucial roles in tumorigenesis and cancer stem cell longevity. The multifaceted roles of ROS in the cellular processes of cancer cells, including their dual, sometimes antithetical, roles in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy, are explored here. ROS are known to mutate or deactivate tumour suppressor genes and damage homeostatic proteins, resulting in tumours. The production, function, and regulation of ROS, particularly within the context of the redox window, are also discussed. With respect to cancer therapeutics, we go over the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments, which rely on ROS-mediated cytotoxic effects. The concentration-dependent functions of ROS open avenues for therapeutics since we can modulate ROS levels for cancer cell destruction while sparing healthy cells. Additionally, we emphasise the need for further research to fully comprehend the intricate roles of ROS in cancer. We advocate for continued research into ROS mechanisms and pathways to gauge the effectiveness of therapies, especially against cancer stem cells. Given the global impact of cancer, a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms of cancer is imperative for finding better treatments.