Multifaceted Roles of Glutathione and Glutathione-Based Systems in Carcinogenesis and Anticancer Drug Resistance.
Antioxid Redox Signal
; 27(15): 1217-1234, 2017 Nov 20.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28537430
ABSTRACT
SIGNIFICANCE:
Glutathione is the most abundant antioxidant molecule in living organisms and has multiple functions. Intracellular glutathione homeostasis, through its synthesis, consumption, and degradation, is an intricately balanced process. Glutathione levels are often high in tumor cells before treatment, and there is a strong correlation between elevated levels of intracellular glutathione/sustained glutathione-mediated redox activity and resistance to pro-oxidant anticancer therapy. Recent Advances Ample evidence demonstrates that glutathione and glutathione-based systems are particularly relevant in cancer initiation, progression, and the development of anticancer drug resistance. CRITICAL ISSUES This review highlights the multifaceted roles of glutathione and glutathione-based systems in carcinogenesis, anticancer drug resistance, and clinical applications. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The evidence summarized here underscores the important role played by glutathione and the glutathione-based systems in carcinogenesis and anticancer drug resistance. Future studies should address mechanistic questions regarding the distinct roles of glutathione in different stages of cancer development and cancer cell death. It will be important to study how metabolic alterations in cancer cells can influence glutathione homeostasis. Sensitive approaches to monitor glutathione dynamics in subcellular compartments will be an indispensible step. Therapeutic perspectives should focus on mechanism-based rational drug combinations that are directed against multiple redox targets using effective, specific, and clinically safe inhibitors. This new strategy is expected to produce a synergistic effect, prevent drug resistance, and diminish doses of single drugs. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 1217-1234.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
/
Glutathione
/
Neoplasms
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Antioxid Redox Signal
Journal subject:
METABOLISMO
Year:
2017
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
France