Iron Deprivation in Cancer––Potential Therapeutic Implications

Nutrients

Jessica L. Heath¹  Joshua M. Weiss¹  Catherine P. Lavau¹ 

[1] Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; E-Mails:

关键词: iron;    chelation;    cancer;    leukemia;    neuroblastoma;    ribonucleotide reductase;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu5082836

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Iron is essential for normal cellular function. It participates in a wide variety of cellular processes, including cellular respiration, DNA synthesis, and macromolecule biosynthesis. Iron is required for cell growth and proliferation, and changes in intracellular iron availability can have significant effects on cell cycle regulation, cellular metabolism, and cell division. Perhaps not surprisingly then, neoplastic cells have been found to have higher iron requirements than normal, non-malignant cells. Iron depletion through chelation has been explored as a possible therapeutic intervention in a variety of cancers. Here, we will review iron homeostasis in non-malignant and malignant cells, the widespread effects of iron depletion on the cell, the various iron chelators that have been explored in the treatment of cancer, and the tumor types that have been most commonly studied in the context of iron chelation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.