Title:Thioredoxin, Glutathione and Related Molecules in Tumors of the Nervous System
Volume: 27
Issue: 12
Author(s): Vasco Branco*, José Pimentel, Maria Alexandra Brito and Cristina Carvalho*
Affiliation:
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa,Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa,Portugal
Keywords:
Brain tumors, thioredoxin, glutathione, glioma, antioxidant systems, central nervous system.
Abstract:
Background: Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors have a poor survival prognosis due to
their invasive and heterogeneous nature, in addition to the resistance to multiple treatments.
Objective: In this paper, the main aspects of brain tumor biology and pathogenesis are reviewed both
for primary tumors of the brain, (i.e., gliomas) and for metastasis from other malignant tumors, namely
lung cancer, breast cancer and malignant melanoma which account for a high percentage of overall
malignant brain tumors. We review the role of antioxidant systems, namely the thioredoxin and glutathione
systems, in the genesis and/or progression of brain tumors.
Methods: Although overexpression of Thioredoxin Reductase (TrxR) and Thioredoxin (Trx) is often
linked to increased malignancy rate of brain tumors, and higher expression of Glutathione (GSH) and
Glutathione S-Transferases (GST) are associated to resistance to therapy, several knowledge gaps still
exist regarding for example, the role of Peroxiredoxins (Prx), and Glutaredoxins (Grx).
Conclusion: Due to their central role in redox homeostasis and ROS scavenging, redox systems are
potential targets for new antitumorals and examples of innovative therapeutics aiming at improving
success rates in brain tumor treatment are discussed.