Abstract
Iron metabolism and homeostasis are imperative for the maintenance of normal physiological activities due to the element’s critical involvement in a wide variety of crucial biological processes like cellular respiration, metabolic pathways, DNA replication, repair, detoxification, neurotransmission and cellular signaling. Being a key contributor of crucial machineries regulating cellular proliferation and survival, it facilitates the process of tumor growth and development. Thus, tumor cells strive to acquire higher amount of iron than non-malignant cells to satisfy their elevated rate of metabolism. Perhaps, not surprisingly chelation of this metal ion was thought to be effective in treating cancer, but due to a variety of side effects, the use of iron chelators was clinically insignificant. However, discovery of various new classes of iron chelators with lesser side effects and selective toxicity towards cancer cells has revived the possibilities of using iron chelators in anti-cancer therapy. In this review, we have discussed the role of iron in promoting malignant mechanisms and the prospects of usage of different classes of iron chelators in cancer therapeutics.
Keywords: Cancer, homeostasis, iron chelator, iron metabolism.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title:Cellular Iron Homeostasis and Therapeutic Implications of Iron Chelators in Cancer
Volume: 15 Issue: 12
Author(s): Mohsin Raza, Sankalpa Chakraborty, Monjoy Choudhury, Prahlad C. Ghosh and Alo Nag
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cancer, homeostasis, iron chelator, iron metabolism.
Abstract: Iron metabolism and homeostasis are imperative for the maintenance of normal physiological activities due to the element’s critical involvement in a wide variety of crucial biological processes like cellular respiration, metabolic pathways, DNA replication, repair, detoxification, neurotransmission and cellular signaling. Being a key contributor of crucial machineries regulating cellular proliferation and survival, it facilitates the process of tumor growth and development. Thus, tumor cells strive to acquire higher amount of iron than non-malignant cells to satisfy their elevated rate of metabolism. Perhaps, not surprisingly chelation of this metal ion was thought to be effective in treating cancer, but due to a variety of side effects, the use of iron chelators was clinically insignificant. However, discovery of various new classes of iron chelators with lesser side effects and selective toxicity towards cancer cells has revived the possibilities of using iron chelators in anti-cancer therapy. In this review, we have discussed the role of iron in promoting malignant mechanisms and the prospects of usage of different classes of iron chelators in cancer therapeutics.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Raza Mohsin, Chakraborty Sankalpa, Choudhury Monjoy, Ghosh C. Prahlad and Nag Alo, Cellular Iron Homeostasis and Therapeutic Implications of Iron Chelators in Cancer, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2014; 15 (12) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920101512141202111915
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920101512141202111915 |
Print ISSN 1389-2010 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4316 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
25th Anniversary Special Issue.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (CPB) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special issue highlighting the journal’s growth and its pivotal contributions to innovation and knowledge in academia. Since its inaugural issue in 2000, CPB has fostered a multidisciplinary platform for emerging scholars to publish high-quality research in pharmaceutical biotechnology. Over ...read more
Advanced Hybrid Solutions: Smart Bioinspired Materials and Platforms for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Bioinspired materials are redefining the landscape of regenerative medicine by mimicking the form and function of natural tissues. The integration of smart polymers and ceramic-based systems into hybrid platforms enables the design of biomaterials that are not only biocompatible and structurally supportive but also functionally dynamic. These advanced hybrid solutions ...read more
Applications and Challenges of Nano-Biotechnology
This thematic issue aims to introduce readers to the fascinating intersection of nanotechnology and biology. It will bring together fundamental principles, materials, tools, and recent breakthroughs to help learners, researchers, and innovators understand how nanoscale science is revolutionizing biological and medical applications. Contributing authors will submit papers related to foundational ...read more
Latest Advancements in Biotherapeutics.
The scope of this thematic issue is to comprehensively explore the rapidly evolving landscape of biotherapeutics, emphasizing breakthroughs in precision medicine. Encompassing diverse therapeutic modalities, the issue will delve into the latest developments in monoclonal antibodies, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, CAR-T cell therapies, and innovative drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticle-based ...read more

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
A Novel Cancer Targeting Approach Based on Estrone Anchored Stealth Liposome for Site-Specific Breast Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Scaffold Hopping for Identification of Novel PKCβII Inhibitors Based on Ligand and Structural Approaches, Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Study
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Prediction of MicroRNA–disease Associations by Matrix Completion
Current Proteomics microRNAs in Cardiovascular Disease: Small Molecules but Big Roles
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Heat Shock Protein (HSP) in Atherosclerosis: Pathophysiology and Clinical Opportunities
Current Medicinal Chemistry Vascular and Cardiac Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Targets for Cardioprotection
Current Pharmaceutical Design Inotropic and Vasoactive Drugs in Pediatric ICU
Current Drug Targets Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors as Prospective Agents for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Neoplastic Diseases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Thalassemia Patients with Heart Failure
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Syncope: Review of Monitoring Modalities
Current Cardiology Reviews Improving Women's Health and Immunity: A Thorough Mapping Micronutrients and Dietary Recommendations
Current Drug Therapy Chlorpyrifos with Age-Dependent Effects in Cardiac Tissue of Male Rats
Current Molecular Pharmacology The Potential of Secondary Metabolites from Plants as Drugs or Leads Against Protozoan Neglected Diseases – Part I
Current Medicinal Chemistry Role of Nitrosative Stress and Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Activation in Myocardial Reperfusion Injury
Current Vascular Pharmacology Lipoprotein Subfractions, Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Risk in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients
Current Vascular Pharmacology ALDH2---The Genetic Polymorphism and Enzymatic Activity Regulation: Their Epidemiologic and Clinical Implications
Current Drug Targets Biomarkers of Protein Oxidation in Human Disease
Current Molecular Medicine Acute Cerebral Blood Flow Variations after Human Cardiac Arrest Assessed by Stable Xenon Enhanced Computed Tomography
Current Neurovascular Research Nimodipine Reappraised: An Old Drug With a Future
Current Neuropharmacology Tissue Doppler Imaging: Beautiful Noise
Current Cardiology Reviews