Abstract

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we highlight a review revealing that the effect of autophagy, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidants in cancer may be a question of timing and context. We also discuss original research showing that the prevalence of cleft lip with or without palate in Taiwan has declined over the past 20 years, and what this might mean in terms of trends in abortion. Finally, we also learn about risk factors for recurrent hospital-acquired infection with multi-drug resistant bacteria, and the value of dental screening for patients with tinnitus.

Abstract

Cancer is a complex disease marked by uncontrolled cell growth and invasion. These processes are driven by the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations that promote cancer initiation and progression. Contributing to genome changes are the regulation of oxidative stress and reactive species-induced damage to molecules and organelles. Redox regulation, metabolic plasticity, autophagy, and mitophagy play important and interactive roles in cancer hallmarks including sustained proliferation, activated invasion, and replicative immortality. However, the impact of these processes can differ depending on the signaling pathways altered in cancer, tumor type, tumor stage, and/or the differentiation state. Here, we highlight some of the representative studies on the impact of oxidative and nitrosative activities, mitochondrial bioenergetics, metabolism, and autophagy and mitophagy in the context of tumorigenesis. We discuss the implications of these processes for cellular activities in cancer for anti-cancer-based therapeutics.