Antioxidative enzymes (AOEs) (AOEs)

Antioxidative enzymes are a diverse group of proteins, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), that play a critical role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Source: NIH, PMC6163558). In the context of oncology, tumor tissues often exhibit an upregulation of these enzymes to counteract the high levels of oxidative stress generated by rapid proliferation and metabolic reprogramming (Source: PubMed, 28844952). This adaptive mechanism provides a survival advantage to cancer cells and contributes to resistance against chemotherapy and radiation. Therapeutic strategies targeting these enzymes aim to disrupt this balance, either by inhibiting specific enzymes like TrxR or GPX4 to trigger ROS-mediated cell death (e.g., ferroptosis) or by using antioxidant mimics to mitigate treatment-induced toxicity in normal cells (Source: Nature Reviews Cancer, 10.1038/nrc.2018.65). Consequently, these enzymes represent a complex but promising set of targets for precision oncology and overcoming drug resistance (Source: PubChem).

Other names

Antioxidant enzymesRedox enzymesROS-scavenging enzymesAntioxidant defense systemRedox-regulating enzymes

Inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activity to increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, leading to oxidative damage and apoptosis in cancer cells; or the use of enzyme mimics to protect healthy tissues from oxidative stress.