www.niehs.nih.gov
Distinguished Lecturer Donna Zhang presented research highlighting NRF2’s dual role in cancer and diabetes, particularly in the context of arsenic exposure. She explained that while NRF2 is a master regulator for cellular protection, its chronic activation can be harmful. In metabolic diseases like diabetes, NRF2 overactivation may contribute to insulin resistance and liver damage. Conversely, in cancer, this pathway often helps malignant cells survive stress and resist therapies, though it can also be exploited for synthetic lethality approaches. Zhang emphasized the complex signaling of NRF2, detailing how its dysregulation links environmental factors like arsenic to disease progression, offering potential targets for future drug development.
Read More
