Harnessing oxidative cell death: Novel mechanisms and therapeutic strategies in human diseases

Oxidative cell death constitutes a crucial form of regulated cell death characterized by excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and failure of antioxidant defense systems. This process encompasses ferroptosis, oxytosis, and ROS-dependent necroptosis, all of which contribute to various disease states, including cancer, ischemia–reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative disorders, acute kidney injury, and autoimmune diseases. Recent advances have revealed that oxidative cell death differs fundamentally from classical apoptosis, exhibiting distinct biochemical and morphological features. It plays a paradoxical role in disease progression and therapeutic response—promoting cell loss in degenerative disorders while offering a new avenue for eliminating apoptosis-resistant cancer cells. However, the complexity of its signaling networks, its interplay with other regulated death mechanisms, and its dynamic modulation within different tissue microenvironments remain incompletely understood, limiting translational exploitation.This Research Topic aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of oxidative cell death and its therapeutic potential across diverse pathological conditions. It seeks to elucidate the molecular regulatory circuitry of ferroptosis, oxytosis, and related pathways; reveal their interactions with apoptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy; and evaluate their roles in cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Further objectives include the identification of key molecular determinants, discovery of diagnostic biomarkers, and design of advanced pharmacological or nanotechnological strategies to manipulate oxidative cell death. By bridging basic discoveries and clinical innovations, this Topic encourages cross-disciplinary exploration to accelerate the translation of oxidative cell death research into tangible medical interventions.To gather further insights into oxidative cell death and its translational potential, we welcome manuscripts addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Novel regulators and signaling pathways driving ferroptosis, oxytosis, and ROS-dependent cell death.o Crosstalk between oxidative cell death and apoptosis, necroptosis, or autophagy-dependent pathways.o Mechanisms and therapeutic targeting of oxidative cell death in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance.o Neuroprotective approaches mitigating oxidative cell death in neurodegenerative diseases.o Roles of oxidative cell death in ischemia–reperfusion injury and acute organ failure.o Involvement of this death mechanism in metabolic conditions such as NAFLD and diabetic complications.o Development of small molecules, nanomedicines, and gene editing technologies targeting oxidative cell death.o Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers arising from oxidative cell death signaling.o Immunoregulatory functions of oxidative cell death shaping innate and adaptive immune responses. Topic editors: Sixi Zhang, Fan Yang, Bo Tu, Xiangyan Li Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83160/harnessing-oxidative-cell-death-novel-mechanisms-and-therapeutic-strategies-in-human-diseases