Redox regulation and its emerging roles in cancer treatment

Abstract

Intracellular reduction–oxidation (redox) homeostasis, mediated mainly by reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a significant role in physiological function maintenance and regulation of organisms. The intrinsic biochemical properties of ROS remarkably influence the growth, differentiation, metastasis, and death of tumor cells, leading to the exploitation of these active chemical species for cancer therapy. Due to significant advances in nanotechnology, a variety of nanomaterials have been developed to alter the spatiotemporal dynamic behaviors of ROS in physiological environments. In this review, we provide a detailed description and analysis of the latest advances in redox regulation–based nanotherapies, focusing on the basic material chemistry of nanomaterials through which ROS can be generated or scavenged to improve the anticancer therapeutic effects. In addition, key issues and core technologies in the development of ROS–based nanotherapies are discussed, aimed at unlocking the inherent power of nanotechnology to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Developments in this growing field are expected to contribute to the further basic research and clinical applications of redox–based nanotherapies.