Effects of antioxidants on cancer progression
Abstract Antioxidant supplements are widely marketed for their promised health benefits, including cancer prevention and therapy support. This belief stems from the idea that excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules. However, the effects of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer Nature
2025-07-01
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| Series: | EMBO Molecular Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44321-025-00269-5 |
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| _version_ | 1849332202106519552 |
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| author | Sarah Schmidt Xi Qiao Martin O Bergö |
| author_facet | Sarah Schmidt Xi Qiao Martin O Bergö |
| author_sort | Sarah Schmidt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Antioxidant supplements are widely marketed for their promised health benefits, including cancer prevention and therapy support. This belief stems from the idea that excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules. However, the effects of antioxidants are highly context-dependent and influenced by the compound type, dosage, and cancer type. While antioxidants may slow tumor progression in specific cancers such as MYC-driven lymphoma, they can accelerate tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in other settings, including KRAS-driven lung cancer and BRAF-driven melanoma. Some antioxidants may also influence the immune system in ways that support cancer therapies, such as immune checkpoint blockade. Here, we review recent studies that highlight the complex roles of antioxidants in cancer progression and discuss their potential implications for clinical practice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1db704fb5073488ca4ccbafd29c6d588 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1757-4684 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EMBO Molecular Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-1db704fb5073488ca4ccbafd29c6d5882025-08-20T03:46:16ZengSpringer NatureEMBO Molecular Medicine1757-46842025-07-011781896190110.1038/s44321-025-00269-5Effects of antioxidants on cancer progressionSarah Schmidt0Xi Qiao1Martin O Bergö2Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetAbstract Antioxidant supplements are widely marketed for their promised health benefits, including cancer prevention and therapy support. This belief stems from the idea that excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules. However, the effects of antioxidants are highly context-dependent and influenced by the compound type, dosage, and cancer type. While antioxidants may slow tumor progression in specific cancers such as MYC-driven lymphoma, they can accelerate tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in other settings, including KRAS-driven lung cancer and BRAF-driven melanoma. Some antioxidants may also influence the immune system in ways that support cancer therapies, such as immune checkpoint blockade. Here, we review recent studies that highlight the complex roles of antioxidants in cancer progression and discuss their potential implications for clinical practice.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44321-025-00269-5 |
| spellingShingle | Sarah Schmidt Xi Qiao Martin O Bergö Effects of antioxidants on cancer progression EMBO Molecular Medicine |
| title | Effects of antioxidants on cancer progression |
| title_full | Effects of antioxidants on cancer progression |
| title_fullStr | Effects of antioxidants on cancer progression |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of antioxidants on cancer progression |
| title_short | Effects of antioxidants on cancer progression |
| title_sort | effects of antioxidants on cancer progression |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44321-025-00269-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sarahschmidt effectsofantioxidantsoncancerprogression AT xiqiao effectsofantioxidantsoncancerprogression AT martinobergo effectsofantioxidantsoncancerprogression |