Oxidants are known to modulate cell proliferation and apoptosis, and induce synthesis of growth factors that play an important role in tumor growth and invasion. Antioxidant enzymes and thiol proteins regulating cellular redox state constitute the major cellular protection against oxidants. Consequently, they are also associated both with carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Superoxide dismutases, glutamate cysteine ligase, catalase, thioredoxins and peroxiredoxins, which are the most important of these enzymes, are expressed in lung malignancies, and especially in pleural mesothelioma. This has consequences not only for tumor behavior but also for resistance of tumor cells to cytotoxic drugs and radiation.