Role of Oxidative Stress in Ovarian Cancer Progression

Ovarian cancer is the third most common malignancy amongst Pakistani women. It is a silent killer and kills a number of females silently because in most of the cases when this cancer is diagnosed it is on 3rd or 4th stage. Development of this cancer is influenced by genetic, biochemical and environmental factors. Oxidative stress and DNA damage play a pivotal role in its progression. So, the objective of this study was to see the effect of oxidative stress in causation and progression of ovarian cancer and its impact on DNA damage, homocysteine levels and total antioxidant status in ovarian cancerous patients. This study also measured new biomarkers that are closely linked to the progression of ovarian cancer and also found their correlation. The results of study show that excessive inflammation and oxidative stress but low levels of antioxidants cause an increase in DNA damage. There is a direct relationship between oxidative stress and DNA damage. This study suggests the use of antioxidants as drugs to reduce oxidative stress.