Hydrogen sulfide donors and inhibitors in cancer research: A state-of-the-art review

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous biomolecule, is considered a key player in the regulation of various essential cellular events. Normal physiology is determined by the level of endogenous H2S. Any alterations (upregulation and downregulation) to the level of endogenous H2S may lead to illness, including the onset of tumorigenesis. Over the past two decades, extensive research on the role of H2S in cancer development has affirmed the potential pharmacological means to suppress cancer progression by either inhibiting H2S synthesis in cells or exposing exogenously supplied H2S donors to treat different cancers. Some H2S donors and inhibitors release H2S or affect its synthesis. As a result, they have progressed through the development process into widespread clinical use and become increasingly important. The present study draws a detailed discussion on the types of H2S donors and inhibitors and their role in cancer research. We believe that this state-of-the-art review will empower the synthesis of H2S -based chemopreventive drugs and promote the need for further in-depth exploration of the associations between H2S and cancer treatments in clinical settings.