Progress in targeted ferroptosis regulation and mechanism of action in hepatocellular carcinoma

Iron dependent programmed cell death is a newly discovered form of cell death that relies on iron ions and is accompanied by excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn mediates lipid peroxidation reactions, ultimately leading to loss of cell membrane integrity and cell death. This process is tightly regulated by various classical signaling pathways and biological processes. Ferroptosis, plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of HCC, especially Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to their high ROS basal levels, unique metabolic reprogramming, and special demand for iron, HCC cells are more sensitive to ferroptosis. Recent studies have shown that inducing ferroptosis not only inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells and hinders tumor progression, but also reshapes the tumor immune microenvironment, enhances anti-tumor immune response, and synergistically improves the efficacy of immunotherapy. Therefore, targeting ferroptosis has become an emerging and important strategy in the field of HCC treatment. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms, regulatory networks, and functional characteristics of ferroptosis in HCC, and looks forward to its future therapeutic application prospects, in order to provide theoretical basis for the development of new HCC treatment methods.