Glutathione as Potential Target for Cancer Therapy; More or Less is Good? (Mini-Review)

Glutathione (GSH) plays important roles in antioxidant defense, nutrient metabolism, and regulation of cellular processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Glutathione deficiency contributes to oxidative stress, which plays a key role in aging and pathogenesis of many diseases, one of which is cancer. The GSH content of cancer cells is associated with multidrug and radiation resistance. Just as low intracellular GSH levels decrease cellular antioxidant capacity, elevated GSH levels generally increase antioxidant capacity and resistance to oxidative stress, and this phenomenon is observed in may cancer cells as compared to normal ones. The present review will address the following questions: what is cancer- glutathione relation? Can glutathione play a role in treating or preventing cancer?