An iron age for cancer therapy

Abstract

Two reports show FDA-approved nanoparticles can kill cancer cells through iron- and reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanisms, offering new strategies for cancer treatment.

Tailoring Biomaterials for Cancer Immunotherapy: Emerging Trends and Future Outlook

“…For instance, aluminum salts (alum) are known to elicit an immune response, and they are the only adjuvants approved for human vaccination so far. Other biomaterials, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds, [136,137] carbon nanotubes, [138] silica particles, [139,140] polypyrrole composite nanoparticles, [141] polyhydroxylated fullerenols, [142] conjugated polymers, [143] and iron oxide nanoparticles [144][145][146] can also generate innate immune responses and promote cellular immunity. [134,135] One possible mechanism of inducing the innate immune system is by creating an inflammatory microenvironment containing "danger signals" that activate the APCs.…”

Iron overload and altered iron metabolism in ovarian cancer

“…The cell death induced by FAC appeared to be distinct from the recently described ferroptosis; this is a cell death pathway distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy though with features similar to glutamate-induced death (Dixon et al, 2012). Cells that are rapidly dividing are seemingly addicted to higher levels of iron and thus may be more responsive to changes in ROS levels resulting in cell death such as ferroptosis (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016). Interestingly, C′ (Cornell) dots (poly(ethylene glycol)-coated silica nanoparticles) can eliminate cancer cells in a growth restricted medium similar to the environmental conditions found in vivo for a tumor (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016).…”

“…Cells that are rapidly dividing are seemingly addicted to higher levels of iron and thus may be more responsive to changes in ROS levels resulting in cell death such as ferroptosis (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016). Interestingly, C′ (Cornell) dots (poly(ethylene glycol)-coated silica nanoparticles) can eliminate cancer cells in a growth restricted medium similar to the environmental conditions found in vivo for a tumor (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016). These dots bind to extracellular iron and following their entry into cells, they increase intracellular redox active iron and ROS leading to a ferroptotic mechanism of cell death (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016).…”

“…Interestingly, C′ (Cornell) dots (poly(ethylene glycol)-coated silica nanoparticles) can eliminate cancer cells in a growth restricted medium similar to the environmental conditions found in vivo for a tumor (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016). These dots bind to extracellular iron and following their entry into cells, they increase intracellular redox active iron and ROS leading to a ferroptotic mechanism of cell death (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016). The use of C′ dots in in vivo mouse xenograft models led to regression of tumors (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016).…”

“…These dots bind to extracellular iron and following their entry into cells, they increase intracellular redox active iron and ROS leading to a ferroptotic mechanism of cell death (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016). The use of C′ dots in in vivo mouse xenograft models led to regression of tumors (Tarangelo and Dixon, 2016). Via a screening approach, Ferrostatin-1 was identified to be a specific inhibitor for ferroptosis which involves inhibition of cysteine uptake via the cysteine/glutamate antiporter system (xc-) which decreases the anti-oxidant response (Dixon et al, 2012; Skouta et al, 2014).…”