Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Revealing the Ferroptotic Phenotype of Medulloblastoma
Published on: March 15, 2024
The ferroptosis-tumor microenvironment nexus: bidirectional regulation in cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic
Lin-Jiu Wu1,2, Xiao-Qing Liu1
1Nanchang People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang Medical College Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Abstract:
This review systematically dissects the mechanisms of the bidirectional ferroptosis-tumor microenvironment (TME) regulation. The TME modulates ferroptosis susceptibility in immune cells through metabolic reprogramming and transcriptional regulation, while immune cells induce tumor cells ferroptosis via cytokine signaling and redox disruption. Intercellular crosstalk among immune and stromal cells further shapes ferroptotic responses through multidimensional mechanisms, forming a complex regulatory network. Paradoxically, ferroptosis exerts dual effects on the TME: it enhances antitumor immunity via damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)-mediated dendritic cells (DCs) activation and T cell priming, yet promotes immune evasion through immunosuppressive niche formation and checkpoint upregulation. Current therapeutic strategies focus on glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inhibitors, synergistic combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), and nanotechnology-enabled targeted delivery systems. Persistent challenges include tumor heterogeneity, off-target toxicity, and deficiency in pharmacokinetics. Future research should prioritize two strategies: ferroptosis biomarker-guided patient stratification and TME-responsive smart drug delivery systems, optimizing personalized therapies to improve survival outcomes. By elucidating the ferroptosis-TME nexus, this review provides novel insights for advancing precision oncology and immunotherapeutic paradigms.
Related Concept Videos
The Tumor Microenvironment
The Tumor Microenvironment
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
