Glutathione levels in human tumors

Biomarkers. 2012 Dec;17(8):671-91. doi: 10.3109/1354750X.2012.715672. Epub 2012 Aug 20.

Abstract

This review summarizes clinical studies in which glutathione was measured in tumor tissue from patients with brain, breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, head and neck and lung cancer. Glutathione tends to be elevated in breast, ovarian, head and neck, and lung cancer and lower in brain and liver tumors compared to disease-free tissue. Cervical, colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancers show both higher and lower levels of tumor glutathione. Some studies show an inverse relationship between patient survival and tumor glutathione. Based on this survey, we recommend approaches that may improve the clinical value of glutathione as a biomarker.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Glutathione / metabolism*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Glutathione