Cancer ResearchHow Harnessing ROS Could Transform Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are unstable molecules your cells produce constantly. In small amounts they help regulate growth signals, but in excess they destroy cells — including cancer cells. This review explores that dual nature, explaining how low ROS levels fuel tumor growth by activating pathways like NF-κB and PI3K/AKT, while high ROS levels trigger multiple forms of cancer cell death including apoptosis and ferroptosis. The authors argue that monitoring mitochondrial redox status could serve as an early warning system, catching pre-disease states before they become full cancers. They also advocate for personalized medicine approaches that use digital health monitoring and patient stratification to guide targeted, proactive interventions rather than waiting for cancer to develop.
