Reductive stress in cancer: coming out of the shadows

Abstract

Redox imbalance is defined by disruption in oxidative and reductive pathways and has a central role in cancer initiation, development, and treatment. Although redox imbalance has traditionally been characterized by high levels of oxidative stress, emerging evidence suggests that an overly reductive environment is just as detrimental to cancer proliferation. Reductive stress is defined by heightened levels of antioxidants, including glutathione and elevated NADH, compared with oxidized NAD, which disrupts central biochemical pathways required for proliferation. With the advent of new technologies that measure and manipulate reductive stress, the sensors and drivers of this overlooked metabolic stress are beginning to be revealed. In certain genetically defined cancers, targeting reductive stress pathways may be an effective strategy. Redox-based pathways are gaining recognition as essential ‘regulatory hubs,' and a broader understanding of reductive stress signaling promises not only to reveal new insights into metabolic homeostasis but also potentially to transform therapeutic options in cancer.