POSSIBILITY OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE USE IN CA NCER PROPHYLAXIS

The known data concerning immunomodulating, antimutagenic and antioxid ant properties of N-acetylcystein (N-Ac), as well as the results of ye t not numerous experiments on antitumor activity of N-Ac are summarize d. The most promising seems the use of N-Ac for the prevention of smok ing's unfavourable consequences (including oncological morbidity) as w ell as for prophylaxis of primary multiple tumors in case of glutathio n-dependent defects of antioxidant system function. Potentialy importa nt are also the properties of N-Ac connected with its ability to influ ence on some metabolic processes including glucose utilization and lip id peroxidation.