Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of a series of cytoprotective genes, which protects cells from stress conditions such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and electrophiles. Besides its pivotal role in cellular physiology and stress response, several recent advances revealed that NRF2-governed pathways are extensively exploited in cancer cells, and play critical roles in granting growth advantage, supporting cancer metabolism, and promoting malignant transformation. In the present review, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms of NRF2 and its roles in cancer biology. We also discuss the value of targeting NRF2-associated pathways as a means of developing future cancer therapeutics.

核因子-红细胞 2 相关因子 2 (NRF2) 是一系列细胞保护基因的主要调节因子，可保护细胞免受活性氧 (ROS) 和亲电子试剂等应激条件的影响。除了在细胞生理学和应激反应中的关键作用外，最近的一些进展表明，NRF2 控制的通路在癌细胞中被广泛利用，并在赋予生长优势、支持癌症代谢和促进恶性转化方面发挥关键作用。在本综述中，我们关注 NRF2 的调控机制及其在癌症生物学中的作用。我们还讨论了靶向 NRF2 相关通路作为开发未来癌症治疗方法的价值。