Molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and the potential therapeutic targets of ferroptosis signaling pathways for glioblastoma

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of cell death that differs from autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis, and its molecular characteristics include iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial morphology changes, and membrane permeability damage. These characteristics are closely related to various human diseases, especially tumors of the nervous system. Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the adult central nervous system, and the 5-year survival rate is only 4%–5%. This study reviewed the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in glioblastoma and the research status and progress on ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target. The mechanism of ferroptosis is related to the intracellular iron metabolism level, lipid peroxide content and glutathione peroxidase 4 activity. It is worth exploring how ferroptosis can be applied in disease treatment; however, the relation between ferroptosis and other apoptosis methods is poorly understood and methods of applying ferroptosis to drug-resistant tumors are insufficient. Ferroptosis is a promising therapeutic target for glioblastoma. In-depth studies of its mechanism of action in glioblastoma and applications for clinical treatment are expected to provide insights for glioblastoma patients.

Deeper insight into ferroptosis: association with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors and their possible treatment by nanomaterials induced ferroptosis

“…Several investigators have shown the role of ferroptosis in the various organ-related disorders in the body [ 15 ]. Zhang and their team reported the involvement of ferroptosis in the various disorders associated with acute kidney injury, cancer, hepatic fibrosis, PDs, and ADs [ 18 ]. More especially, it is involved in all types of cancer of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and lungs [ 185 , 186 ].…”

“…In all these disorders, ferroptosis is involved which mediates a cascade of molecular pathways. Ferroptosis activates several molecules that encourage various pathways for GBS, AD, PD, and stroke [ 18 ]. Previous investigations have shown that Fe 2+ ions-based glutathione (GSH) activation results in the formation of ROS [ 19 ].…”

Fluorescence microscopy imaging of mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells

“…In recent years, the study of mitochondrial metabolism in cancer became a hot research topic both for basic biology and for translational studies involving drug development and response to other forms of cancer treatment (38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45). In this review, we will focus on the use of advanced confocal and widefield microscopy for research on cancer metabolism in live cells.…”