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Review
. 2014 Dec 18:33:106.
doi: 10.1186/s13046-014-0106-5.

Dual effect of oxidative stress on leukemia cancer induction and treatment

Udensi K Udensi  1 , Paul B Tchounwou  2
Affiliations
Review

Dual effect of oxidative stress on leukemia cancer induction and treatment

Udensi K Udensi et al. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. .

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS) has been characterized by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a biological system's ability to repair oxidative damage or to neutralize the reactive intermediates including peroxides and free radicals. High ROS production has been associated with significant decrease in antioxidant defense mechanisms leading to protein, lipid and DNA damage and subsequent disruption of cellular functions. In humans, OS has been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, as well as atherosclerosis, autism, cancer, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. Although OS has been linked to the etiology and development of chronic diseases, many chemotherapeutic drugs have been shown to exert their biologic activity through induction of OS in affected cells. This review highlights the controversial role of OS in the development and progression of leukemia cancer and the therapeutic application of increased OS and antioxidant approaches to the treatment of leukemia patients.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Types of oxidants and antioxidants which imbalance will lead to oxidative stress (OS). OS is described as an excess production of ROS compared to antioxidant defense.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of various activators and inhibitors of reactive oxygen species production[53].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Transcription factors that are modulated by reactive oxygen species[53],[54].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Major types of leukemia: AML- acute myeloid leukemia; ALL- acute lymphoblastic leukemia; CML- chronic myeloid leukemia; CLL- chronic lymphoblastic leukemia.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Antioxidant treatment versus pro-oxidant treatment as a therapy for hematologic malignancy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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