The Dual Role of NRF2 Transcription Factor in Female Cancer

Abstract

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an essential transcription factor that is involved in cellular defense against oxidative stress and is assumed to be an important molecule in the transcription and regulation of cytoprotective genes. NRF2 is not only responsible for protecting healthy cells but plays a role in neoplastic cells once high expression of NRF2 has been observed in cancer cells. However, the increase in NRF2 levels may be correlated with resistance to therapy, making it interesting to understand the duality of the protective action of this molecule in the scenario of the cancer hallmarks, NRF2-regulated target genes involved in redox homeostasis, drug metabolism and excretion, amino acid metabolism, iron metabolism, energetic metabolism, survival, autophagy, proliferation, DNA repair, proteasomal degradation, and mitochondrial physiology. Therefore, NRF2 has emerged as a promising target in cancer treatment, and many efforts have been made to identify therapeutic strategies that inhibit its oncogenic role.