Figure 1
From: Contribution of uric acid to cancer risk, recurrence, and mortality
Hyperuricemia contributes to tumorigenesis by promoting both transformation and tumor cell proliferation, migration, and survival. High levels of extracellular UA present in the serum or in the local microenvironment of tumor cells exerts many pro-inflammatory effects that contribute to tumorigenesis. While extracellular UA has antioxidant effects that may protect normal cells from transformation, entry of UA into cells can generate inflammatory stress that arises from the effects of intracellular UA on ROS/RNS generation and COX-2 activation. Stimulation of cancer cells by UA further promotes proliferation, migration, and survival that mediates progression from early stage cancer to highly aggressive cancer.