Ferroptosis and immunosenescence in colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC), ranked as the globe's third leading malignancy. Despite advancements in therapeutic approaches, the mortality rate remains distressingly high for those afflicted with advanced stages of the disease. Ferroptosis is a programmed form of cell death. The ways of ferroptosis mainly include promoting the accumulation of cellular ROS and increasing the level of cellular Labile iron pool (LIP). Immunosenescence is characterized by a gradual deterioration of the immune system's ability to respond to pathogens and maintain surveillance against cancer cells. In CRC, this decline is exacerbated by the tumor microenvironment, which can suppress the immune response and promote tumor progression. This paper reviews the relationship between iron prolapse and immune senescence in colorectal cancer, focusing on the following aspects: firstly, the different pathways that induce iron prolapse in colorectal cancer; secondly, immune-immune senescence in colorectal cancer; and lastly, the interactions between immune senescence and iron prolapse in colorectal cancer, e.g., immune-immune senescent cells often exhibit increased oxidative stress, leading to the accumulation of ROS, and consequently to lipid peroxidation and induction of iron-induced cell death. At the same time, ferroptosis induces immune cell senescence as well as alterations in the immune microenvironment by promoting the death of damaged or diseased cells and leading to the inflammation usually associated with it. In conclusion, by exploring the potential targets of ferroptosis and immune senescence in colorectal cancer therapy, we hope to provide a reference for future research.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Ferroptosis; Immunosenescence; Novel therapeutics; Tumor microenvironment.