Cross‑link between ferroptosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma: New approach to radiotherapy sensitization (Review)

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered special type of regulated cell death that is strongly associated with both homeostasis maintenance and cancer development. Previous studies have indicated that a number of small-molecular agents inducing ferroptosis have great potential in the treatment of different types of cancer, including breast, pancreatic, prostate and head and neck cancer. However, the role of ferroptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has remained to be fully determined. To the best of our knowledge, no review of the currently available studies on this subject has been published to date. The metabolism and expression of specific genes that regulate ferroptosis may represent a promising radiosensitization target in cancer treatment. The aim of the present review was to describe the cross-link between ferroptosis and NPC and to discuss the potential value of regulators and the possible mechanism underlying the role of ferroptosis in the radiosensitization of NPC, in the hope that linking the mechanism of ferroptosis with the development of NPC will accelerate the development of novel ferroptosis-based targets and radiotherapy strategies in NPC.

Ferroptosis regulators related scoring system by Gaussian finite mixture model to predict prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…In addition, radiotherapy is the Frontiers in Genetics frontiersin.org main effective treatment modality in NPC, which is different from many solid tumors that require surgery. The cross-link between ferroptosis and radio-sensitization of NPC are generally being studied, hoping that linking the mechanism of ferroptosis with radiotherapy strategies could accelerate the development of novel ferroptosis-based treatment in NPC (Li et al, 2021).…”

RSL3 combined with cisplatin induces ferroptosis in cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

“…In contrast to apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy, ferroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death that is characterized by iron overload, lipid peroxidation, and the buildup of reactive oxygen species. It can be triggered by exogenous small molecule substances such as RSL3, sorafenib, sulfasalazine and so on, and can be reversed by ferroptosis inhibitors [3,4] . Cisplatin (DDP) is one of the standard chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma [5] .…”

Isoquercitrin promotes ferroptosis and oxidative stress in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via the AMPK/NF‐κB pathway

“…[ 10 ] Li et al discovered that the radiosensitivity of NPC could be promoted by targeting ferroptosis. [ 9 ] Hence, agents effective against ferroptosis might make great sense for NPC treatment.…”

“…[6][7][8] Emerging evidence has pointed out that ferroptosis might be a promising target for cancer therapy, including NPC. [9] Xu et al found that itraconazole could relieve the stemness of NPC cells by inducing ferroptosis. [10] Li et al discovered that the radiosensitivity of NPC could be promoted by targeting ferroptosis.…”