Ferroptosis Inducers for Prostate Cancer Therapy

Title:Ferroptosis Inducers for Prostate Cancer Therapy

Volume: 29 Issue: 24

Author(s): Nadia Zaffaroni and Giovanni Luca Beretta*

Affiliation:

• Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, 20133, Italy

Keywords: Prostate cancer, ferroptosis, lipid peroxidation, GPX4, ROS, cancer therapy.

Abstract: Lipid peroxidation-driven iron-dependent ferroptosis is a regulated cell death mechanism implicated in numerous diseases, such as neurological diseases, kidney injury, ischemia, and tumors, including prostate cancer. The cellular mechanisms of ferroptosis are strongly associated with iron, reactive oxygen species and amino acid metabolic pathways. Several compounds, namely ferroptosis inducers, impact these pathways and trigger ferroptosis by i) inhibiting Xc - transporter system, ii) impairing GPX4 functions and iii) oxidizing iron and polyunsaturated phospholipids. Preclinical studies show that in combination with conventional anticancer drugs, ferroptosis inducers are effective in prostate cancer and in combating the progression towards the castration-resistant disease. This review overviews the mechanisms implicated in ferroptosis and discusses the findings achieved in prostate cancer.

Cite this article as:

Zaffaroni Nadia and Beretta Luca Giovanni*, Ferroptosis Inducers for Prostate Cancer Therapy, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2022; 29(24) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867329666220111120924