Ferroptosis-modulating small molecules for targeting drug-resistant cancer: Challenges and opportunities in manipulating redox signaling.
Solveigh C KoeberleAnna P KippHermann StuppnerAndreas KoeberlePublished in: Medicinal research reviews (2023)
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death program that is characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation. Triggering ferroptosis has been proposed as a promising strategy to fight cancer and overcome drug resistance in antitumor therapy. Understanding the molecular interactions and structural features of ferroptosis-inducing compounds might therefore open the door to efficient pharmacological strategies against aggressive, metastatic, and therapy-resistant cancer. We here summarize the molecular mechanisms and structural requirements of ferroptosis-inducing small molecules that target central players in ferroptosis. Focus is placed on (i) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 4, the only GPX isoenzyme that detoxifies complex membrane-bound lipid hydroperoxides, (ii) the cystine/glutamate antiporter system X c - that is central for glutathione regeneration, (iii) the redox-protective transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2), and (iv) GPX4 repression in combination with induced heme degradation via heme oxygenase-1. We deduce common features for efficient ferroptotic activity and highlight challenges in drug development. Moreover, we critically discuss the potential of natural products as ferroptosis-inducing lead structures and provide a comprehensive overview of structurally diverse biogenic and bioinspired small molecules that trigger ferroptosis via iron oxidation, inhibition of the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase system or less defined modes of action.
Keyphrases
- cell death
- drug resistant
- papillary thyroid
- cell cycle arrest
- nuclear factor
- transcription factor
- squamous cell
- small cell lung cancer
- squamous cell carcinoma
- stem cells
- fatty acid
- lymph node metastasis
- minimally invasive
- drug delivery
- signaling pathway
- acinetobacter baumannii
- childhood cancer
- hydrogen peroxide
- climate change