Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a group of molecules generated by partial reduction of oxygen, have been postulated as central regulators of essential cellular functions through the modulation of signaling pathways activity. Excessive production of ROS, also known as oxidative stress, is a common feature of tumor microenvironment (TME). A large number of studies have provided strong evidence supporting a role of oxidative stress in the regulation of tumor development and progression through the modulation of the TME. In this chapter, we summarize the state of the field as it relates to causes and consequences of ROS elevation in the TME. In addition, we describe the molecular and biological mechanisms governing the intricate network of events driven by oxidative stress leading to an immunosuppressed TME. Finally, we discuss the translational significance of ROS induction as new therapeutic strategies with an emphasis in the role of photodynamic therapy, as a ROS-based potent antitumor agent regulating inflammation and immune system activation during tumor progression.
Maria Julia Lamberti & Renzo Emanuel Vera contributed equally to this article.
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Abbreviations
- APC:
-
Antigen presenting cells
- CAFs:
-
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts
- COX:
-
Ciclooxigenase
- DCs:
-
Dendritic cells
- ECM:
-
Extracellular matrix
- ERK:
-
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase
- HGG:
-
High-grade glioma
- HIF-1:
-
Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1
- ICD:
-
Immunogenic cell death
- JNK:
-
c-Jun N-terminal kinase
- MAPK:
-
Mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MDSCs:
-
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells
- NK:
-
Natural killer
- NOX:
-
NADPH oxidase
- PDT:
-
Photodynamic Therapy
- PGE2:
-
Prostaglandin E2
- ROS:
-
Reactive oxygen species
- SOD:
-
Superoxide dismutase
- TAMs:
-
Tumor-Associated Macrophages
- TCR:
-
T-cell receptor
- Th1:
-
T-helper 1
- Treg:
-
T-regulatory
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Lamberti, M.J., Vera, R.E., Fernández-Zapico, M.E., Rumie Vittar, N.B. (2022). Reactive Oxygen Species: Central Regulators of the Tumor Microenvironment. In: Chakraborti, S., Ray, B.K., Roychoudhury, S. (eds) Handbook of Oxidative Stress in Cancer: Mechanistic Aspects. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9411-3_159
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