Ferroptosis and its Role in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Currently, surgery is the treatment of choice for GC. However, the associated expenses and post-surgical pain impose a huge burden on these patients. Furthermore, disease recurrence is also very common in GC patients, thus necessitating the discovery and development of other potential treatment options. A growing body of knowledge about ferroptosis in different cancer types provides a new perspective in cancer therapeutics. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death. It is characterized by intracellular lipid peroxide accumulation and redox imbalance. In this review, we summarized the current findings of ferroptosis regulation in GC. We also tackled on the action of different potential drugs and genes in inducing ferroptosis for treating GC and solving drug resistance. Furthermore, we also explored the relationship between ferroptosis and the tumor microenvironment in GC. Finally, we discussed areas for future studies on the role of ferroptosis in GC to accelerate the clinical utility of ferroptosis induction as a treatment strategy for GC.

Automated summary

Gastric cancer is a common type of cancer with surgery as the main treatment method. However, it is expensive and painful, and patients often experience recurrence. Ferroptosis, a form of cell death dependent on iron, provides a new perspective in cancer therapy. This review summarizes the latest findings on ferroptosis regulation in gastric cancer, discusses the potential of drugs and genes in inducing ferroptosis for treatment and drug resistance, explores the relationship between ferroptosis and the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer, and suggests areas for future research to accelerate the clinical utility of ferroptosis induction as a treatment strategy for gastric cancer.