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

Oxidative stress (OS), resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidative defenses, is connected with various diseases, including cancer. Isoprostanes (IsoPs), derived from peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), serve as reliable biomarkers of OS. This review collects knowledge about IsoPs as indicators of OS, focusing on their association with various diseases, among others different types of cancer, and also skin disorders. Roughly 3 decades ago IsoPs were characterized in vivo. It represented a significant milestone in the field of biomedical sciences, and specifically in biochemistry of lipid peroxidation and free radical research. Between 1992 and 2024, more than 5,800 articles on IsoPs were published. IsoPs, for example, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, are relatively stable indicators of OS. Elevated IsoPs levels are associated with various cancers, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. There are some articles about IsoPs and their correlation with diseases like diabetes, asthma and colorectal, breast, lung or nonmelanoma skin cancer. Despite their broad relevance, a gap exists in the literature regarding IsoPs and skin cancer, especially in a very specific group of patients like organ transplant recipients, who are at a much heightened risk of developing cancer due to immunosuppression. IsoPs are valuable biomarkers for OS-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 approach.