A paradoxical role of reactive oxygen species in cancer signaling pathway: Physiology and pathology

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generally recognized as major products in the cells that are produced during oxygen utilization, cellular breakdown, and the incomplete degradation of oxygen molecules. Deep research over the last two decades shows that ROS is the key factor for the initiation and regulation of cancer signaling pathways. The unique charisma of cancer cells is their ability to produce an elevated amount of oxidative stress and their requirement for an antioxidant defence system that differentiates the cancer cells from the normal cells. The low and high level of ROS controls the various signaling pathways associated with tumorigenesis, oncogenesis, angiogenesis, autophagy, lipid, glucose metabolism, etc. The elevated ROS level is a well-known hallmark for various cancer resulting in apoptosis by regulating pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic signaling pathways. In the meantime, the reduced ROS level contributes to cell survival, invasion, metastasis, oncogenesis, etc. The significant role of this double-edged sword ROS in cellular homeostasis, as well as carcinogenesis, will be discussed in this review. Moreover, the present review deals with the various intracellular and extracellular sources of ROS generation, the significant role of ROS, and provides a brief overview of the ROS signaling pathway in cancer.

Automated summary

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential products in cells, playing a key role in the initiation and regulation of cancer signaling pathways. Controlling the levels of ROS can influence various signaling pathways associated with tumorigenesis, and elevated ROS levels are known markers for cancer, while reduced levels contribute to cell survival and invasion.