Effect of tumor microenvironment on ferroptosis: inhibition or promotion

Current knowledge of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Therapeutic strategies are the hot-spot issues in treating patients with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Mounting studies have proved that triggering ferroptosis is one of the promising targets for OSCC management. In this study, we performed a first attempt to collect the current evidence on the proposed roles of ferroptosis in OSCC through a comprehensive review. Based on clinical data from the relevant studies within this topic, we found that ferroptosis-associated tumor microenvironment, ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs), and ferroptosis-related lncRNAs exhibited a potent prognostic value for OSCC patients. Mechanistically, experimental data revealed that the proliferation and tumorigenesis of OSCC might be associated with the inhibition of cellular ferroptosis through the activation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1), suppression of glutathione (GSH) and Period 1 (PER1) expression, and modulation of specific non-coding RNAs (i.e., miR-520d-5p, miR-34c-3p, and miR-125b-5p) and their targeted proteins. Several specific interventions (i.e., Quisinostat, Carnosic acid, hyperbaric oxygen, melatonin, aqueous-soluble sporoderm-removed G. lucidum spore powder, and disulfiram/copper complex) were found to dramatically induce ferroptosis cell death of OSCC via multiple mechanisms. This review highlighted the pivotal role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis and prognosis of OSCC. Future anticancer therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis and its associated molecules might provide a new insight for OSCC treatment.

Ferroptosis: A double-edged sword

Ferroptosis represents a form of programmed cell death that is propelled by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, thereby being distinguished by the prominent features of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis has been implicated in numerous physiological and pathological phenomena, with mounting indications that it holds significant implications for cancer and other medical conditions. On one side, it demonstrates anti-cancer properties by triggering ferroptosis within malignant cells, and on the other hand, it damages normal cells causing other diseases. Therefore, in this paper, we propose to review the paradoxical regulation of ferroptosis in tumors and other diseases. First, we introduce the development history, concept and mechanism of ferroptosis. The second part focuses on the methods of inducing ferroptosis in tumors. The third section emphasizes the utilization of ferroptosis in different medical conditions and strategies to inhibit ferroptosis. The fourth part elucidates the key contradictions in the control of ferroptosis. Finally, potential research avenues in associated domains are suggested.

Interplay of Ferroptosis and Cuproptosis in Cancer: Dissecting Metal-Driven Mechanisms for Therapeutic Potentials

Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu), essential transition metals, play pivotal roles in various cellular processes critical to cancer biology, including cell proliferation, mitochondrial respiration, distant metastases, and oxidative stress. The emergence of ferroptosis and cuproptosis as distinct forms of non-apoptotic cell death has heightened their significance, particularly in connection with these metal ions. While initially studied separately, recent evidence underscores the interdependence of ferroptosis and cuproptosis. Studies reveal a link between mitochondrial copper accumulation and ferroptosis induction. This interconnected relationship presents a promising strategy, especially for addressing refractory cancers marked by drug tolerance. Harnessing the toxicity of iron and copper in clinical settings becomes crucial. Simultaneous targeting of ferroptosis and cuproptosis, exemplified by the combination of sorafenib and elesclomol-Cu, represents an intriguing approach. Strategies targeting mitochondria further enhance the precision of these approaches, providing hope for improving treatment outcomes of drug-resistant cancers. Moreover, the combination of iron chelators and copper-lowering agents with established therapeutic modalities exhibits a synergy that holds promise for the augmentation of anti-tumor efficacy in various malignancies. This review elaborates on the complex interplay between ferroptosis and cuproptosis, including their underlying mechanisms, and explores their potential as druggable targets in both cancer research and clinical settings.