Antioxidants, programmed cell death, and cancer

Understanding the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis opens new approaches for controlling cancer growth, and suggests that patients with cancer may not always want to ingest extra antioxidants. Many epidemiological studies suggest that increased intake of fruits and vegetables, and of other foods that contain antioxidants can protect against the DNA damage that can initiate carcinogenesis. However, recent data indicates that cells use reactive oxygen species as part of the signaling process responsible for activating an important mechanism for eliminating cancer cells, programmed cell death (also called apoptosis). Many anti-cancer agents depend on this form of cell death for their efficacy. In this review we present an overview of the role of ROS in carcinogenesis and in apoptosis, and we raise questions about the proper dietary recommendations for individuals with cancer.