Figure 6

Targeting cancer cells by modifying ROS levels. Normal cells have decreased amounts of both ROS and antioxidants relative to cancer cells. Loss of either ROS or antioxidants therefore causes only small changes in ROS homeostasis, leaving cells viable and functional. However, since cancer cells have more ROS and antioxidants, they may be more susceptible to changes in ROS levels. Treatment with antioxidants or prevention of ROS generation will cause cells to lose sufficient ROS signaling to maintain growth. The result is cytostasis and possibly senescence. Alternatively, inhibition of antioxidants or increasing ROS generation will result in excess ROS in cancer cells and cause cancer-specific oxidative cell death.