About this Research Topic

Background

Oxidative stress is an imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses, which leads to cell damage. ROS are highly reactive molecules produced in the organism normally due to metabolism and environmental factors. ROS causes DNA damage that leads to mutations, genetic instability and epigenetic changes which are essential processes for cancer development.

Antioxidant defenses are composed of endogenous and exogenous molecules, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E. These can be used as biomarkers of antioxidant defense, while ROS, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage, used as biomarkers of oxidative damage.
There is wide evidence that these biomarkers are altered in many types of cancer. For example, in breast and liver cancers, the antioxidant activities of SOD, CAT and GPx are decreased while LPO levels are significantly higher. Therefore, identifying biomarkers of oxidative stress in cancer patients can promote the development of targeted therapeutic approaches and diagnostic strategies.

Consumption of foods that are rich in antioxidant compounds is related to a lower incidence of some types of cancer, as well as the consumption of nutraceuticals rich in antioxidants has been associated with a protective effect against cancer onset. Several natural compounds are described as antioxidant molecules, such as polyphenol curcumin. This molecule has shown an anticancer potential in reducing oxidative stress by modulating downstream signaling pathways in cancer cells, in vitro. Therefore, the use of antioxidants has opened a new prospection in cancer prevention and in the development of potential molecular targets for therapeutic approaches.

Important challenges are still ongoing in the fields of cancer therapy and there are several evidence indicating that oxidative stress plays an important role in cancer development and progression. Thus, studies focusing on elucidating the role of oxidative stress in cancer prevention, diagnostic, treatment and prognostic, require deep investigation.

This Research Topic aims to better understand the role of oxidative stress in any type of cancer, especially in non-clinical and clinical outcomes. We also welcome manuscripts that assess the mechanism of action of novel molecules with antioxidant properties in a cancer setting.
We welcome reviews, mini-reviews, and original research articles that provide an in-depth understanding of, but are not limited to, the following themes:

1. Antioxidant supplementation in cancer treatment or prevention in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical studies.

2. Identification of biomarkers of oxidative stress linked with the risk to develop carcinogenesis and the prognostic of the disease.

3. Elucidation of novel mechanisms of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of cancer disease.

4. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of novel natural or synthetic molecules with antioxidant properties in cancer.

Keywords: cancer, oxidative stress, antioxidant biomarkers, oxidant biomarkers

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