Research on the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of reactive oxygen species in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- 1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, The First People’s Hospital of Jingzhou
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) exhibits significant geographical clustering and etiological heterogeneity. It is particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia and is typically associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as highly reactive oxygen metabolites, play a key role in regulating cellular signaling and maintaining redox homeostasis. Although the role of ROS in tumors has been well established, reviews examining how ROS influence NPC and their potential therapeutic applications remain relatively scarce. ROS exert diverse effects in NPC, including roles in EBV-associated processes, regulation of programmed cell death, metabolic reprogramming, formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and epigenetic remodeling. In addition, natural small-molecule compounds that regulate ROS levels and emerging combination therapy strategies have considerable therapeutic potential in NPC. This review discusses the dual role of ROS in NPC, examines their contributions to disease development, and further explores how these mechanisms could inform the design of ROS-targeted therapies, as well as the associated translational challenges.
Related
- Lactylation in liver fibrosis: from molecular mechanisms to targeted therapeutic strategies
- Molecular mechanisms for sustaining cancer stem cells characteristics and targeted therapeutic strategies
- Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Molecular Mechanisms and Innovative Therapeutic Strategies
- Targeting lipid metabolism to overcome therapeutic resistance in renal cell carcinoma: Mechanisms and emerging strategies.
- Recent advances in Alzheimer’s disease: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies
BibTeX
@article{gu2026research,
title = {{Research on the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of reactive oxygen species in nasopharyngeal carcinoma}},
author = {Yuting Gu and Bi Qiang},
journal = {Frontiers in Pharmacology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1980464},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1980464/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Research on the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of reactive oxygen species in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
AU - Yuting Gu
AU - Bi Qiang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Frontiers in Pharmacology
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1980464
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1980464/full
AB - Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) exhibits significant geographical clustering and etiological heterogeneity. It is particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia and is typically associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as highly reactive oxygen metabolites, play a key role in regulating cellular signaling and maintaining redox homeostasis. Although the role of ROS in tumors has been well established, reviews examining how ROS influence NPC and their potential therapeutic applications remain relatively scarce. ROS exert diverse effects in NPC, including roles in EBV-associated processes, regulation of programmed cell death, metabolic reprogramming, formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and epigenetic remodeling. In addition, natural small-molecule compounds that regulate ROS levels and emerging combination therapy strategies have considerable therapeutic potential in NPC. This review discusses the dual role of ROS in NPC, examines their contributions to disease development, and further explores how these mechanisms could inform the design of ROS-targeted therapies, as well as the associated translational challenges.
SN - 1663-9812
ER -