Recent Advances in Research on Iron Metabolism, Ferritin, and Hepcidin

This study aimed to provide a synthesis of current knowledge on iron homeostasis, focusing on major metabolic pathways and evolving research perspectives. A systematic review was conducted, analyzing the most relevant pathological conditions associated with iron metabolism, including iron overload and iron deficiency. Iron overload (IO) encompasses a wide range of disorders that lead to systemic iron accumulation and organ damage, while iron deficiency (ID) is characterized by insufficient iron availability for physiological needs. IO is dealt with a focused attention, exploring molecular mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies. In this context, hepcidin not only represents a valuable biomarker for iron overload but also serves as a potential target for novel therapies that are currently in the experimental phase. Conversely, for ID, both traditional biomarkers and recently proposed indicators help in diagnosing ID and correlating it with erythropoietic activity.