Progress of the relationship between iron metabolism and solid tumors / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

Iron is an important nutrient element which is involved in a variety of physiological processes. The potential toxicity of excess iron requires that cells should evolve a robust, tightly regulated mechanism for maintaining iron homeostasis. At the same time, iron plays an indispensable role in the process of tumorigenesis and progression. The mechanism involved in iron homeostasis can make changes to adapt to its metabolic level and to maintain the activity of the tumor cells. This paper reviews iron metabolism and its role in the maintaining of iron homeostasis, as well as the importance of iron metabolism in solid cancers.