Cell proliferation and oxidative stress: basis for anticancer drugs

Abstract

Synopsis:A wide variety of normal and malignant mammalian cells, as well as inflammatory cells, release extracellular active oxygen species such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Both these species at low levels can stimulate growth and growth responses in a range of normal and malignant cell types. In order to assess the significance of such findings, superoxide dismutase and catalase were added exogenously to the culture medium of hamster (BHK-21) and rat (208F) fibroblasts (non-transformed or oncogene transformed). This resulted in a reduction of cell proliferation and increased cellular uptake of trypan blue stain, suggesting that superoxide and/or hydrogen peroxide may have important roles as extracellular ‘messengers’ promoting cell proliferation and maintaining cell viability. Superoxide dismutase mimics, like superoxide dismutase itself, are also cytostatic towards these cells and provide a basis for the development of tumour-specific antiproliferative drugs.