癌症之鐵依賴型細胞死亡的潛在應用

Iron is an essential micronutrient. Cancer cells tend to accumulate iron and promote the production of reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis, a newly discovered iron-dependent cell death mechanism involving intracellular iron accumulation and excess lipid peroxidation, has the potential to become a new strategy for anticancer therapy. Different concentrations of serum glucose, iron, selenium, and other nutrients have been reported to interfere with the cell's metabolic state and thus impact the susceptibility of cells and tissues to ferroptosis. Phytochemicals have the ability to improve drug resistance and reduce side effects by promoting ferroptosis. For instance, formosanin C, curcumin, and artesunate inhibit antioxidation capacity by suppressing GPX4 and GSH and increase iron toxicity by degrading ferritin and elevating HO-1, providing a perfect environment to induce ferroptosis. This review discusses the interactions between nutrient signals and ferroptosis, as well as the development of novel strategies involving bioactive phytochemicals that may reduce the severe side effects of treatments and overcome drug-resistant ferroptosis-related diseases, focusing on cancerous tumors.