Linking oxidative stress and ovarian cancers

Abstract Among five subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers, ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCCs) are the ones most strongly linked to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is involved in the development of OCCCs, i.e., the malignant transformation of endometriosis to OCCC; therefore, oxidative stress should be considered as a therapeutic target for treating OCCC. Antioxidant intake is suggested as a mode of prevention, in addition to the removal of oxidative stress by surgery and hormonal therapy. Since OCCC develops under strong oxidative stress, it retains resistance to oxidative stress and therapy, leading to poor prognosis. Overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox B and abundance of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase are related to the acquired resistance to oxidative stress in OCCCs. Studies on several therapeutic targets are in progress, which include receptor tyrosine kinase pathway molecules, antioxidative stress molecules, AT-rich interactive domain 1A-related chromatin remodeling factors, and genomic instability. This review outlines carcinogenesis, prevention, molecular biological characteristics, and potential therapeutics for treating OCCCs in the future.