Reduced glutathione system: Role in cancer development, prevention and treatment (Review)

Reduced glutathione (GSH), a ubiquitous thiolcontaining tripeptide, is unan imously recognized to play a central role in cell biology. It is highly imp licated in the cellular defense against xenobiotics and naturally occurring deleterious compounds such as free radicals and hydroperoxides. Consequent ly, GSH is an essential actor in several human diseases including cancer an d cardio-vascular diseases. Its implication in oncogenesis has led to the d evelopment of new strategies to improve both prevention and treatment of ca ncer. The present review proposes an in depth analysis or our current knowl edge of the relations between GSH and cancer.