Oxidative Stress: A New Target for Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis and Treatment

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal types of tumors, and its incidence is rising worldwide. Survival can be improved when tumors are detected at an early stage; however, this cancer is usually asymptomatic, and the disease only becomes apparent after metastasis. Several risk factors are associated to this disease. Chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and some infectious disease are the most relevant risk factors. Incidence of PDAC has increased in the last decades. It is hypothesized it could be due to other acquired risk habits, like smoking, high alcohol intake, and obesity. Indeed, adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ that secretes different pro-inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, and other factors that activate oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species caused by oxidative stress, damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, and produce several toxic and high mutagenic metabolites that could modify tumor behavior, turning it into a malignant phenotype. Anti-oxidant compounds, like vitamins, are considered protective factors against cancer. Here, we review the literature on oxidative stress, the molecular pathways that activate or counteract oxidative stress, and potential treatment strategies that target reactive oxygen species suitable for this kind of cancer.

Melatonin-Induced Changes in Cytosolic Calcium Might be Responsible for Apoptosis Induction in Tumour Cells

“…Anti-oxidant compounds are generally considered as a protective factor against cancer [42]. Melatonin is well known as a potent scavenger of ROS such as hydroxyl radicals, peroxyl radicals, superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide [43-47].…”

Nrf2 Pathway in Age-Related Neurological Disorders: Insights into MicroRNAs

“…Oxidative stress is generally recognized as a common feature of both acute diseases (like ischemia-induced damages) [25,32] and chronic degenerative diseases, including neurodegeneration [33], diabetes [34] and cardiovascular diseases [35], as well as cancer [18,36] and normal aging [37]. Importantly, since Nrf2 activity plays a pivotal role in redox homeostasis, its fine regulation is fundamental to counteract redox related damages.…”

An overview of polyamine metabolism in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

“…Both PAO and SMOX produce hydrogen peroxide, creating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can cause oxidative stress to the cell . Oxidative stress is increased in pancreatic cancers and plays an important role in PDAC including the acquisition of invasive and aggressive phenotypes and has been recently reviewed as a therapeutic target in PDAC …”