Colon cancer and oxidative stress

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20094415418

Abstract

Colorectal cancer type was the third highest incidence among women and the fourth most frequent among men in Brazil
Southeast region in 2008. Similar to other diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, it weakens the patient organism as a whole. It
is a multifactorial disease, and environmental factors, especially physical activity level and diet, are involved in the risk of its development.
The entire process of genetic alterations responsible for the progression of this disease can be enhanced by free radical-induced
oxidative stress, which is the main responsible for metastasis. The comprehension of the free radical mechanisms in the development
of colon cancer may facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets. Finally, several studies have shown that reduced intestinal
oxidative stress prevent the development of colon cancer, however, it is phenomenological studies, and the knowledge of its the signaling
mechanisms remains unclear.