Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospects

Abstract The discovery of diverse molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death has opened new avenues for cancer therapy. Ferroptosis, a unique form of cell death driven by iron-catalyzed peroxidation of membrane phospholipids, holds particular promise for targeting resistant cancer types. This revi...

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Main Authors: Roberto Fernández-Acosta, Iuliana Vintea, Ine Koeken, Behrouz Hassannia, Tom Vanden Berghe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02154-6
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author Roberto Fernández-Acosta
Iuliana Vintea
Ine Koeken
Behrouz Hassannia
Tom Vanden Berghe
author_facet Roberto Fernández-Acosta
Iuliana Vintea
Ine Koeken
Behrouz Hassannia
Tom Vanden Berghe
author_sort Roberto Fernández-Acosta
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The discovery of diverse molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death has opened new avenues for cancer therapy. Ferroptosis, a unique form of cell death driven by iron-catalyzed peroxidation of membrane phospholipids, holds particular promise for targeting resistant cancer types. This review critically examines current literature on ferroptosis, focusing on its defining features and therapeutic potential. We discuss how molecular profiling of tumors and liquid biopsies can generate extensive multi-omics datasets, which can be leveraged through machine learning-based analytical approaches for patient stratification. Addressing these challenges is essential for advancing the clinical integration of ferroptosis-driven treatments in cancer care.
format Article
id doaj-art-81be816b1adc4951bfac077ef142ec2b
institution OA Journals
issn 1741-7007
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Biology
spelling doaj-art-81be816b1adc4951bfac077ef142ec2b2025-08-20T02:01:39ZengBMCBMC Biology1741-70072025-02-0123111710.1186/s12915-025-02154-6Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospectsRoberto Fernández-Acosta0Iuliana Vintea1Ine Koeken2Behrouz Hassannia3Tom Vanden Berghe4Cell Death Signaling lab, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of AntwerpCell Death Signaling lab, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of AntwerpCell Death Signaling lab, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of AntwerpCell Death Signaling lab, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of AntwerpCell Death Signaling lab, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of AntwerpAbstract The discovery of diverse molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death has opened new avenues for cancer therapy. Ferroptosis, a unique form of cell death driven by iron-catalyzed peroxidation of membrane phospholipids, holds particular promise for targeting resistant cancer types. This review critically examines current literature on ferroptosis, focusing on its defining features and therapeutic potential. We discuss how molecular profiling of tumors and liquid biopsies can generate extensive multi-omics datasets, which can be leveraged through machine learning-based analytical approaches for patient stratification. Addressing these challenges is essential for advancing the clinical integration of ferroptosis-driven treatments in cancer care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02154-6FerroptosisCancerMachine learningLiquid biopsyCell-free DNADNA methylation
spellingShingle Roberto Fernández-Acosta
Iuliana Vintea
Ine Koeken
Behrouz Hassannia
Tom Vanden Berghe
Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospects
BMC Biology
Ferroptosis
Cancer
Machine learning
Liquid biopsy
Cell-free DNA
DNA methylation
title Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospects
title_full Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospects
title_fullStr Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospects
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospects
title_short Harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology: challenges and prospects
title_sort harnessing ferroptosis for precision oncology challenges and prospects
topic Ferroptosis
Cancer
Machine learning
Liquid biopsy
Cell-free DNA
DNA methylation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02154-6
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