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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Author Spotlight: Tracing the Ferroptotic Signatures and Cell Death Dynamics in Medulloblastoma for Advanced Therapeutics
Published on: March 15, 2024
Accelerating Small Molecule Ferroptosis Regulator Development With Advances in Biological Functions
Linyue Bai1,2, Liang Shen1,3, Qianqian Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Metabolic Dysregulation & prevention and Treatment of Esophageal Cancer, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Application, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Abstract:
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death characterized by the disorder of iron homeostasis and the accumulation of lipid peroxidation, which trigger a cascade of events resulting in cell death. This process has a dual regulatory effect in the evolution of diseases, which can not only attenuate the progress of diseases, but also become a promoting force to accelerate pathological alterations, and widely participate in the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. In recent years, there has been a growing body of research identifying regulators-both inducers and inhibitors-that target the mechanisms of ferroptosis, particularly in the field of anti-tumor drug research. This review systematically elucidates the regulatory mechanisms underlying ferroptosis (e.g., iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, system Xc-/GSH/GPX4 axis) and examines the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, liver and kidney diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, we discussed the therapeutic applications of novel inducers and inhibitors of ferroptosis in recent years, offering critical insights and directions for further researching on the mechanism of ferroptosis and targeted drugs for ferroptosis-related diseases.
Insights
Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death, plays a dual role in disease progression. Understanding its regulators and mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies for various conditions, including cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death pathway driven by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation.
- This process significantly impacts disease development, acting as both a protective and detrimental factor.
- Recent research focuses on identifying ferroptosis regulators for therapeutic applications, especially in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis.
- To examine the role of ferroptosis in diverse diseases.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of ferroptosis modulators.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ferroptosis mechanisms.
- Analysis of ferroptosis involvement in various pathologies.
- Discussion of recent advancements in ferroptosis-targeting drugs.
Main Results:
- Ferroptosis is regulated by key pathways including iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and the system Xc-/GSH/GPX4 axis.
- Ferroptosis is implicated in cancer, neurodegenerative, liver, kidney, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Novel ferroptosis inducers and inhibitors show therapeutic promise.
Conclusions:
- Ferroptosis mechanisms are complex and involve multiple cellular pathways.
- Targeting ferroptosis offers a promising therapeutic strategy for numerous diseases.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate ferroptosis pathways and develop effective drugs.
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