Cancer: The role of iron and ferroptosis

Gautam Rishi; Gary Huang; V Nathan Subramaniam

doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106094

Cancer: The role of iron and ferroptosis

Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2021 Dec:141:106094. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106094. Epub 2021 Oct 8.

Authors

Gautam Rishi¹, Gary Huang¹, V Nathan Subramaniam²

Affiliations

¹ Hepatogenomics Research Group, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Qld 4059, Australia.
² Hepatogenomics Research Group, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Qld 4059, Australia. Electronic address: nathan.subramaniam@qut.edu.au.

PMID: 34628027
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106094

Abstract

Iron is an essential element for virtually all living things. Body iron levels are tightly controlled as both increased iron levels and iron deficiency are associated with many clinical conditions. Increased iron levels are associated with a worse prognosis in some cancers, so understanding the role of iron in cancer development has thus been an active area of research. Regulated forms of cell death are important in development and disease pathogenesis. In this Medicine in Focus review article, we discuss the role of iron in cancer, and ferroptosis, a new form of iron-regulated cell death triggered by increased iron and peroxidation of lipids. We also review the pathogenesis of cancer, potential therapeutics for targeting the increased requirement of iron, as well as how ferroptosis activation may have a role in treatment of cancers.

Keywords: Cancer; Ferroptosis; GPX; Hepcidin; Iron metabolism.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cell Death
Ferroptosis*
Humans
Iron / metabolism
Lipid Peroxidation

Substances

Iron