Advances in ferroptosis in head and neck cancer (Review)

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death that was discovered in 2012. It encompasses the coordinated orchestration of three fundamental biological pathways: Iron homeostasis, glutathione regulation and lipid metabolism. Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers occurring on the mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of HNC, accounting for >90% of HNC cases, and has high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, the 5-year survival rate hovers at a dismal 50-60%, with recurrence afflicting nearly 30% of patients, highlighting the inadequacies of currently available treatments. Of note, research exploring the nexus between ferroptosis and HNC remains scarce; however, the present review endeavors to synthesize current knowledge surrounding ferroptosis. The present review elaborated on the normal physiological role of ferroptosis and discussed its potential involvement in HNC pathogenesis. Therapeutic strategies and prognostic paradigms for HNC that target ferroptosis were also reviewed. This review aims to provide direction to catalyze future investigations into ferroptosis in HNC.