Iron Metabolism in Cancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities

Iron metabolism represents a key area of cancer research, as iron is crucial for cellular proliferation and many metabolic processes. Tumors often exhibit altered iron homeostasis, contributing to both their growth and resistance to therapy. Recent investigations have uncovered a complex interplay between iron acquisition, storage, and export mechanisms within cancer cells and their microenvironment. Understanding these relationships has opened new avenues in the search for targeted therapies but has also revealed significant knowledge gaps regarding the regulation and consequences of iron dysregulation in malignancy. Ongoing debates persist around the dual nature of iron’s effects—both as a proliferative agent and as a mediator of oxidative stress and cell death—and dominant theories now highlight iron as a potentially actionable vulnerability in cancer biology. Despite these advances, a comprehensive understanding of how iron metabolism contributes to tumor progression, metastasis, therapy resistance, and immune modulation remains elusive.This Research Topic aims to collectively advance our understanding of the multifaceted roles of iron metabolism in cancer. The goal is to clarify the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms governing iron homeostasis in tumors, examine how these processes influence disease progression and patient outcomes, and explore their potential for therapeutic intervention. We encourage studies that address outstanding questions such as: What are the key regulators of iron metabolism in various cancer types? How do changes in iron availability shape tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment? Can manipulation of iron pathways be leveraged for novel or improved cancer treatments?To gather further insights in the field of iron metabolism in cancer, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Mechanisms of iron regulation in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironmento Interplay between iron metabolism and oncogenic signaling pathwayso Iron-driven metabolic vulnerabilities and ferroptosis in cancero The impact of iron homeostasis on anti-tumor immunityo Clinical implications of iron modulation: biomarkers, prognosis, and therapyo Novel therapeutic strategies targeting iron metabolism Topic editors: Flavia Biamonte, Subhadip Mukhopadhyay Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79522/iron-metabolism-in-cancer-from-molecular-mechanisms-to-therapeutic-opportunities