Iron is essential for human life, however, this element can also become toxic in high doses. Contrary to iron anemia, iron overload occurs when the body accumulates more iron than it can use, and this excess iron is damaging to cells and tissues. Famous for their atypical growth patterns, cancer cells accumulate a surplus of iron to support their irregular growth and metabolism. Thus, the metabolism of cancer cells may be exploited by targeting their proclivity to require and retain iron.
“Iron chelators selectively deplete cancer cells of iron, exploiting cancer’s iron addiction – a trait displayed by a range of different cancers.”
Iron chelators are compounds that can bind to iron and facilitate iron wasting. Depriving the body of iron using iron chelators has selectively cytotoxic effects in cancer cells. Some natural iron chelators include turmeric, quercetin, resveratrol, and green tea. Synthetic iron chelators include derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline, tachpyridine and deferoxamine. A considerable number of studies have shown that iron chelators can reverse some major catalysts and hallmarks of cancer—making iron chelators a promising treatment option for cancer patients.
Researchers Gina Abdelaal and Stephany Veuger from Northumbria University reviewed the available research literature about the impact of iron chelation on cancer cell survival and the underlying mechanisms of action. Their review paper was published by Oncotarget in 2021 and entitled, “Reversing oncogenic transformation with iron chelation.”
Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2022/02/10/iron-chelators-in-cancer-treatment/
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.27866
Correspondence to - Gina Abdelaal - gina.abdelaal@northumbria.ac.uk
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Press release - https://www.oncotarget.com/news/pr/reversing-oncogenic-transformation-with-iron-chelation/
Keywords - iron chelator, oncogenesis, selective cytotoxicity, hallmarks of cancer, NDRG1
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