Oncotarget

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Inhibition of cancer antioxidant defense by natural compounds

Alicja Sznarkowska _, Anna Kostecka, Katarzyna Meller and Krzysztof Piotr Bielawski

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Oncotarget. 2017; 8:15996-16016. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.13723

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Abstract

Alicja Sznarkowska1, Anna Kostecka1, Katarzyna Meller1 and Krzysztof Piotr Bielawski1

1 Department of Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland

Correspondence to:

Alicja Sznarkowska, email:

Keywords: antioxidants, ROS, cancer, natural compounds, polyphenols

Received: September 02, 2016 Accepted: November 22, 2016 Published: November 30, 2016

Abstract

All classic, non-surgical anticancer approaches like chemotherapy, radiotherapy or photodynamic therapy kill cancer cells by inducing severe oxidative stress. Even tough chemo- and radiotherapy are still a gold standard in cancer treatment, the identification of non-toxic compounds that enhance their selectivity, would allow for lowering their doses, reduce side effects and risk of second cancers. Many natural products have the ability to sensitize cancer cells to oxidative stress induced by chemo- and radiotherapy by limiting antioxidant capacity of cancer cells. Blocking antioxidant defense in tumors decreases their ability to balance oxidative insult and results in cell death. Though one should bear in mind that the same natural compound often exerts both anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant properties, depending on concentration used, cell type, exposure time and environmental conditions. Here we present a comprehensive overview of natural products that inhibit major antioxidant defense mechanisms in cancer cells and discuss their potential in clinical application.


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