Oxidative stress and antioxidants in breast cancer: a double-edged sword - Report - MDSpire

Oxidative stress and antioxidants in breast cancer: a double-edged sword

  • By

  • Ayodeji Mathias Adegoke

  • Grace Ochanya Igomu

  • Saviour God’swealth Usin

  • Mamello Patience Sekhoacha

  • June 23, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Breast Cancer

Background

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, making its understanding and management critical. Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance of ROS and antioxidants, is implicated in the initiation and progression of breast cancer.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data is provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Oxidative stress promotes DNA damage and drives breast cancer initiation and progression.
  • Antioxidants help regulate ROS and maintain cellular homeostasis.
  • ROS can induce apoptosis and are utilized as therapeutic agents against cancer.
  • Some antioxidants may paradoxically promote tumor progression.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the dual roles of ROS and antioxidants in breast cancer.

Conclusion

The interplay between oxidative stress and antioxidants in breast cancer is complex.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Archives of Toxicology, 2024 -- The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense in the Development and Progression of Cancer
  2. Archives of Toxicology, 2020 -- Mechanisms Linking Ionizing Radiation to Breast Cancer: The Role of Direct and Indirect DNA Damage, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Genomic Instability, and Hormonal Interactions
  3. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 2025 -- The influence of antioxidant supplementation on adverse effects and tumor interaction during radiotherapy: a systematic review
  4. NCI, 2024 -- Cancer Therapy Interactions With Foods and Dietary Supplements (PDQ®)
  5. 6th and 7th International consensus guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer (ABC guidelines 6 and 7), 2024
  6. Frontiers in Endocrinology — Postoperative serum oxidative stress measures in women with papillary thyroid cancer
  7. Archives of Toxicology — Impact of Breast Cancer Risk Factors on Cellular Proliferation and DNA Damage in Human Mammary Gland Tissues: The Role of Intracellular Estrogen Concentrations, Oxidative Stress, and Estrogen Metabolism
  8. 6th and 7th International consensus guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer (ABC guidelines 6 and 7) - PMC
  9. Cancer Therapy Interactions With Foods and Dietary Supplements (PDQ®) - NCI
  10. The influence of antioxidant supplementation on adverse effects and tumor interaction during radiotherapy: a systematic review | Clinical and Experimental Medicine | Springer Nature Link
  11. Impact of Nutritional Supplements and Antioxidants in the Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review | MDPI
  12. Vitamin D Supplementation During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Improves Pathological Complete Response: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed
  13. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation attenuates changes in the concentration, phenotype, and response of immune peripheral blood cells in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. Secondary findings from the DHA-WIN trial | Breast Cancer Research | Springer Nature Link
  14. Coenzyme Q10 (PDQ®) - NCI

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