Oxidative stress marker in oral cancer: A review.

Oxygen derived species such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical (OH-), and singlet oxygen are well known to be cytotoxic and have been implicated in the etiology of a wide array of human diseases, including cancer. Various carcinogens may also partly exert their effect by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) during their metabolism. Oxidative damage to cellular DNA can lead to mutations and may, therefore, play an important role in the initiation and progression of multistage carcinogenesis. ROS influences central cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence which are implicated in the development of cancer. Understanding the role of ROS as key mediators in signaling cascades may provide various opportunities for pharmacological intervention.