In the last decade, several studies have proven that when at low concentration reactive oxygen species (ROS) show an adaptive beneficial effect and posited the idea that they can be utilized as inexpensive and convenient inducers of tissue regeneration. On the other hand, the recent discovery that cancer cells are more sensitive to oxidative damage paved the way for their use in the selective killing of tumor cells, and sensors to monitor ROS production during cancer treatment are under extensive investigation. Nevertheless, although ROS-activated signaling pathways are well established, less is known about the mechanisms underlying the switch from an anabolic to a cytotoxic response. Furthermore, a high variability in biological response is observed between different modalities of administration, cell types, donor ages, eventual concomitant diseases, and external microenvironment. On the other hand, available preclinical studies are scarce, whereas the quest for the most suitable systems for in vivo delivery is still elusive. Furthermore, new strategies to control the temporal pattern of ROS release need to be developed, if considering their tumorigenic potential. This review initially discusses ROS mechanisms of action and their potential application in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and cancer therapy. It then outlines the state of art of ROS-based drugs and identifies challenges faced in translating ROS research into clinical practice.

在过去十年中，多项研究证明，当活性氧 (ROS) 处于低浓度时，活性氧 (ROS) 显示出适应性有益效果，并提出了一种想法，即它们可以用作廉价且方便的组织再生诱导剂。另一方面，最近发现癌细胞对氧化损伤更敏感，这为它们用于选择性杀死肿瘤细胞铺平了道路，并且正在对癌症治疗过程中监测 ROS 产生的传感器进行广泛研究。然而，尽管 ROS 激活的信号通路已经很好地建立，但对从合成代谢到细胞毒性反应转变的机制知之甚少。此外，在不同的给药方式、细胞类型、供体年龄、最终的伴随疾病和外部微环境。另一方面，可用的临床前研究很少，而寻找最适合体内递送的系统仍然难以捉摸。此外，如果考虑到它们的致瘤潜力，则需要开发控制 ROS 释放时间模式的新策略。本综述初步讨论了 ROS 的作用机制及其在干细胞生物学、组织工程和癌症治疗中的潜在应用。然后概述了基于 ROS 的药物的最新技术，并确定了将 ROS 研究转化为临床实践所面临的挑战。如果考虑到它们的致瘤潜力，则需要开发控制 ROS 释放时间模式的新策略。本综述初步讨论了 ROS 的作用机制及其在干细胞生物学、组织工程和癌症治疗中的潜在应用。然后概述了基于 ROS 的药物的最新技术，并确定了将 ROS 研究转化为临床实践所面临的挑战。如果考虑到它们的致瘤潜力，则需要开发控制 ROS 释放时间模式的新策略。本综述初步讨论了 ROS 的作用机制及其在干细胞生物学、组织工程和癌症治疗中的潜在应用。然后概述了基于 ROS 的药物的最新技术，并确定了将 ROS 研究转化为临床实践所面临的挑战。