Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Revealing the Ferroptotic Phenotype of Medulloblastoma
04:01

Revealing the Ferroptotic Phenotype of Medulloblastoma

Published on: March 15, 2024

Targeting ferroptosis to overcome drug resistance in gastrointestinal cancers

Chenbin Cao1,2, He Qi1,2, Weishi Qian3,4

  • 1School of Medical Laboratory, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, People's Republic of China.

Clinical & Translational Oncology : Official Publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico
|August 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death, offers a novel therapeutic strategy for gastrointestinal cancers. Targeting ferroptosis, particularly the SLC7A11-GPX4 axis, shows promise but requires overcoming resistance and toxicity for clinical use.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Death Mechanisms
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal cancers are leading causes of cancer mortality globally.
  • Conventional therapies face limitations due to toxicity and resistance.
  • Ferroptosis, a regulated cell death form, presents a potential therapeutic avenue.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review ferroptosis regulation in gastrointestinal cancers.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis.
  • To discuss challenges and future directions for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on ferroptosis mechanisms in gastrointestinal malignancies.
  • Analysis of key regulatory pathways including iron metabolism, antioxidant defense, and lipid reprogramming.
  • Examination of emerging therapeutic approaches and biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • Ferroptosis is modulated by iron metabolism, the SLC7A11-glutathione-GPX4 axis, NRF2 adaptation, and lipid reprogramming in gastrointestinal cancers.
  • Ferroptosis influences immune responses and can be targeted by nanotechnology.
  • Preclinical data show promise, but clinical translation is limited by toxicity and resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Ferroptosis-targeted therapies are a promising adjunctive strategy for gastrointestinal cancers.
  • Clinical success necessitates combination therapies and biomarker-guided patient selection.
  • Further research is needed to address toxicity and resistance mechanisms.
Keywords:
Drug resistanceFerroptosisGastrointestinal cancersNanomedicineTargeted therapy

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...