Role of ferroptosis in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer remains a globally prevalent malignancy with significant clinical burdens. The iron-mediated cell death mechanism known as ferroptosis has gained substantial attention in cancer studies owing to its distinctive biological characteristics and disease-related implications. This review delineates the molecular machinery driving ferroptosis and systematically analyzes its dual roles in gastric carcinogenesis-both as a tumor-suppressive mechanism and a vulnerability axis during metastasis. Furthermore, we summarize the multi-layered regulatory networks governing ferroptosis, encompassing metabolic reprogramming, redox homeostasis, and microenvironmental crosstalk. By integrating preclinical and clinical evidence, this review proposes ferroptosis-targeted therapeutic strategies that synergize with conventional therapies, highlighting their potential to overcome drug resistance and reshape immunosuppressive niches. These insights bridge mechanistic understanding with translational research, offering a framework for advancing precision interventions in gastric cancer management.