Uric Acid & Cancer
Hatice Yilmaz1, Sabri Barutcu11Department of Medical Oncology, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Aydın, Turkey
Uric acid (UA) (C5H4N4O3), is a heterocyclic compound with a molecular weight of 168.11 Da and, it’s the last product of purine metabolism in humans. The relationship in-between UA and cancer is complex as UA has both anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant functions. Due to its anti-oxidant function, it was proposed as a protector for cancer growth. Also the products of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) activity; reactive oxygen species (ROS), and UA induced immuno-inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress were proposed to have roles in carcinogenesis. In fact, ROS may activate the inflammation mediated cell proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis related signal pathways and so may have a possible carcinogenic potential. So, UA may promote inflammation mediated oncogenesis by both ROS production and cell transcription and cytokine synthesis. Higher levels of UA seem to be closely related to oncogenesis, though more specifically designed extended studies are needed on the subject.
Cite This Article
Yilmaz H, Barutcu S. Uric Acid & Cancer. EJMI. 2022; 6(2): 141-146
Corresponding Author: Hatice Yilmaz