In recent years, a vast number of potential cancer therapeutic targets have emerged. However, developing efficient and effective drugs for the targets is of major concern. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), one of the three known gasotransmitters, is involved in the regulation of various cellular activities such as autophagy, apoptosis, migration, and proliferation. Low production of H₂S has been identified in numerous cancer types. Treating cancer cells with H₂S donors is the common experimental technique used to improve H₂S levels; however, the outcome depends on the concentration/dose, time, cell type, and sometimes the drug used. Both natural and synthesized donors are available for this purpose, although their effects vary independently ranging from strong cancer suppressors to promoters. Nonetheless, numerous signaling pathways have been reported to be altered following the treatments with H₂S donors which suggest their potential in cancer treatment. This review will analyze the potential of H₂S donors in cancer therapy by summarizing key cellular processes and mechanisms involved.

中文翻译：

---

硫化氢供体在癌症发生和进展中的作用


近年来，出现了大量潜在的癌症治疗靶点。然而，针对目标开发高效且有效的药物是人们主要关注的问题。硫化氢（H ₂ S）是已知的三种气体递质之一，参与自噬、凋亡、迁移和增殖等多种细胞活动的调节。已在多种癌症类型中发现 H ₂ S 产生量低。用 H ₂ S 供体处理癌细胞是提高 H ₂ S 水平的常用实验技术。然而，结果取决于浓度/剂量、时间、细胞类型，有时还取决于所用的药物。天然和合成的供体均可用于此目的，尽管它们的作用从强癌症抑制因子到促进因子独立变化。尽管如此，据报道，许多信号通路在 H ₂ S 供体治疗后发生了改变，这表明它们在癌症治疗中的潜力。本综述将通过总结所涉及的关键细胞过程和机制来分析 H ₂ S 供体在癌症治疗中的潜力。