Programmed cell death, redox imbalance, and cancer therapeutics

Cancer cells are disordered by nature and thus featured by higher internal redox level than healthy cells. Redox imbalance could trigger programmed cell death if exceeded a certain threshold, rendering therapeutic strategies relying on redox control a possible cancer management solution. Yet, various programmed cell death events have been consecutively discovered, complicating our understandings on their associations with redox imbalance and clinical implications especially therapeutic design. Thus, it is imperative to understand differences and similarities among programmed cell death events regarding their associations with redox imbalance for improved control over these events in malignant cells as well as appropriate design on therapeutic approaches relying on redox control. This review addresses these issues and concludes by bringing affront cold atmospheric plasma as an emerging redox controller with translational potential in clinics.

Automated summary

Cancer cells have higher internal redox levels compared to healthy cells, which can lead to programmed cell death if there is redox imbalance. Understanding the differences and similarities among programmed cell death events in relation to redox imbalance is crucial for improved control over malignant cells and therapeutic approach design. Cold atmospheric plasma is identified as a potential redox controller with translational benefits in clinics.