Targeting NADPH oxidases for the treatment of cancer and inflammation

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2012 Jul;69(14):2435-42. doi: 10.1007/s00018-012-1017-2. Epub 2012 May 13.

Abstract

NADPH oxidases are a family of oxidases that utilize molecular oxygen to generate hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, thus indicating physiological functions of these highly reactive and short-lived species. The regulation of these NADPH oxidases (nox) enzymes is complex, with many members of this family exhibiting complexity in terms of subunit composition, cellular location, and tissue-specific expression. While the complexity of the nox family (Nox1-5, Duox1, 2) is daunting, the complexity also allows for targeting of NADPH oxidases in disease states. In this review, we discuss which inflammatory and malignant disorders can be targeted by nox inhibitors, as well as clinical experience in the use of such inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / therapy*
  • NADPH Oxidase 1
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • NADPH Oxidases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • NADPH Oxidase 1
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • NOX1 protein, human
  • NOX4 protein, human