Recent advances in crosstalk between immune cells and cancer cells with ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death distinct from apoptosis and necrosis. Key hallmarks include iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, and intracellular iron accumulation, all of which are counteracted by specific cellular defenses. However, the immunosuppressive effects of ferroptosis induction in cancer immunotherapy remain unresolved. This review summarizes the recent advancements in ferroptosis research, focusing on its defensive mechanisms. It analyzes how ferroptosis affects both cancer and immune cells, highlighting its potential inhibitory effects on anti-tumor immunity and possible promotion of pro-tumor immune responses. Finally, this review briefly introduces case studies that combined ferroptosis induction with immunotherapy, offering novel perspectives for cancer treatment.