An Overview on Free Radicals and Role of Antioxidants in the Management of Cancer (Brief Review)

Many diseases are associated with free radicals and oxidative stress, which result from reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. These high ROS levels affect various metabolic and signalling mechanisms leading to changes in physiological processes and the emergence of illnesses like cancer. In addition to dietary, mammalian cells have natural ROS scavenging mechanisms that includes enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. This review discuss the free radicals with relation to cancer development, as well as the role of antioxidants in the immune defence mechanism against free radicals. The review also explores various approaches for manipulating antioxidants and free radicals in the prevention and management of cancer, such as gene therapy, genetically engineered plants with higher antioxidant levels, artificial antioxidant enzymes, novel biomolecules, and antioxidant-rich foods. Future applications of these approaches are also discussed.