Fish-derived hepcidins in cancer treatment: a scoping review
Abstract Background The discovery of hepcidin, a peptide hormone primarily known for iron homeostasis regulation, has revealed promising anticancer properties. While extensively studied in mammals, fish-derived hepcidins represent an unexplored area in cancer therapeutics, offering unique structural...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-025-00599-w |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background The discovery of hepcidin, a peptide hormone primarily known for iron homeostasis regulation, has revealed promising anticancer properties. While extensively studied in mammals, fish-derived hepcidins represent an unexplored area in cancer therapeutics, offering unique structural and functional characteristics that may prove valuable in oncological applications. Method A scoping review was conducted using the Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and PubMed databases to comprehensively analyse published literature on fish-derived hepcidins. Publications were identified using Boolean combinations of ‘fish’, ‘hepcidin’, and ‘cancer’. Two independent reviewers screened articles, with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. Research themes were categorised and analysed with focus on species distribution, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential. Result Analysis of 881 publications revealed research distribution across four main categories: immune response (60.07%), antimicrobial peptides (17.65%), iron homeostasis (13.69%), and cancer research (2.94%). The review identified 17 fish species with documented hepcidin studies. Tilapia-derived hepcidins demonstrated notable anticancer properties, including concentration-dependent effects, selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, and potential enhancement of conventional chemotherapy efficacy through mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Conclusion Despite promising anticancer properties of fish-derived hepcidins, particularly from tilapia, significant knowledge gaps exist in understanding their cancer-specific mechanisms and clinical applications. Future research should prioritise broader species investigation, safety profiling, and delivery system development to advance their therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. |
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| ISSN: | 2314-8543 |