Abstract
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are chemically reactive chemical species containing oxygen. The redox status of a cell is function of the relative concentrations of oxidized and reduced forms of proteins, enzymes, ROS, molecules containing thiol and other factors. In the organism, the redox balance is based on the generation and elimination of ROS produced by endogenous and exogenous sources. All living organisms must maintain their redox equilibrium to survive and proliferate. Enzymatic and molecular pathways control ROS levels tightly but differentially depending on the type of cell. This review is an overview of various molecules that modulate ROS production/detoxification and have a synergistic action with the chemotherapies to kill cancer cells while preserving normal cells to avoid anticancer drugs side effects, allowing a better therapeutic index of the anticancer treatments.
Highlights
The redox status of a cell is function of the relative concentrations of oxidized and reduced forms of proteins, enzymes, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), molecules containing thiol and other factors
Oxidative stress is defined by excessive intracellular level of ROS [29] due to an excess of ROS production and/or a defect in antioxidant systems that can lead to cell death
Increased levels of ROS either becauseresulting of their overproduction or lack of detoxification can lead to cell death through alteration of DNA, proteins, or lipids
Summary
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are chemically reactive chemical species containing oxygen. They include free radicals like superoxide anion (O2 -) and the hydroxyl (OH) radical, and active non-radical oxygen forms, including hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) or nitroperoxide (ONOOH). As a result of normal aerobic cellular metabolism, ROS are continuously produced by eukaryotic cells. They play a key role in signaling pathways in response to intra- and extra-cellular changes. They are permanently eliminated by several so-called anti-oxidant systems, resulting in a precise control of their intracellular concentration (Figure 1).
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