Berberine Effect on GPX4 Axisin Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cancer

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cancer (PDAC) treatment has always been a major milestone in clinical trials due to its high resistance to multiple forms of conventional treatment. Recent studies have identified ferroptosis as an alternative cell death mechanism. Unlike apoptosis, this iron-dependent process induces cell death through lipid peroxidation. Its independence of caspase activation allows it to bypass pancreatic cancer cells that are resistant to conventional apoptosis medication, offering a potential solution for treatment-resistant cases. Likewise, Berberine, a traditional Chinese medicine, has exhibited a positive impact in preventing cancer metastasis and inducing cell death in both in vitro and vivo studies while sparing healthy body cells. It has been found that Berberine can modulate oxidation-reduction homeostasis and lipid metabolism, which is a key component of the ferroptosis pathway. Thus, this study aims to highlight the therapeutic potential of using a combination of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) axis and Berberine as a novel treatment for PDAC by focusing on lipid peroxidation in ferroptosis.