OXY-RADICALS-INDUCED ON DNA DAMAGES - PHA RMACOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Oxy-radicals can be generated at the cellular level by organic compoun ds displaying appropriated redox properties allowing one-electron tran sfer processes. Among the different molecules endowed with these prope rties, one can found a majority of cytotoxic antitumor agents whose me chanism of action involves the nuclear DNA degradation of the target c ells. The nature of DNA damages produced by these antitumor agents usi ng various experimental models is in agreement with the occurrence of oxy-radicals-mediated reactions. In most cases, a relationship between the redox properties and the action of these compounds at the molecul ar level is observed.