Isoprostanes as biomarkers of oxidative stress across human diseases and skin pathologies

Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidative defenses, is connected with various diseases, including cancer. Isoprostanes, derived from peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, serve as reliable biomarkers of oxidative stress. This review collects knowledge about isoprostanes as indicators of oxidative stress, focusing on their association with various diseases, including different types of cancer, and skin disorders. Isoprostanes were characterized in vivo roughly 3 decades ago, representing a significant milestone in the field of biomedical sciences. Between 1992 and 2024, more than 5,800 articles on isoprostanes were published. Isoprostanes, such as 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, are relatively stable indicators of oxidative stress. Elevated isoprostane levels are associated with various cancers, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Research has also explored the correlation of isoprostanes with diseases like diabetes, asthma, and colorectal, breast, lung, or nonmelanoma skin cancer. Despite their broad relevance, a gap exists in the literature regarding isoprostanes and skin cancer, especially in a specific group of patients, such as organ transplant recipients, who are at a heightened risk of developing cancer due to immunosuppression. Isoprostanes are valuable biomarkers for oxidative stress-related diseases. However, further research is needed to explore their pathophysiological significance and potential clinical applicability with regard to skin cancer risk or diagnosis in transplant patients, aiming to improve disease prevention, monitoring, and therapeutic approaches.