Ferroptosis in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment: Mechanisms, Nanomedicine, and Immunotherapy

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, is frequently dysregulated in both tumor and immune cells, contributing to tumor progression and limiting the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. Defining the molecular mechanisms that govern ferroptosis and its effects within the tumor immune microenvironment is critical for understanding its dual role in cancer biology. While modulation of ferroptosis presents a promising therapeutic strategy, non-specific targeting may also impair normal tissues and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. In this context, nanoparticle-based delivery systems offer a potential approach to selectively regulate ferroptosis within tumors. Such strategies may enable precise remodeling of the tumor microenvironment and enhance antitumor immune responses, thereby improving immunotherapy outcomes. This review highlights the regulatory mechanisms linking ferroptosis and the tumor immune microenvironment, provides a critical discussion of recent developments in bionanomaterial-based therapeutic platforms, and outlines the challenges and prospects for clinical application of these platforms for immunotherapy.