FOXO3/HMOX1 axis promotes melanoma progression by regulating ferroptosis and immune escape.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma represents a highly aggressive form of skin cancer characterized by significant invasiveness and immune evasion capabilities. Although heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) participates in cellular stress responses and ferroptosis, its precise functional roles in melanoma pathogenesis remain incompletely defined. METHODS: effect of HMOX1 knockdown was evaluated using a mouse subcutaneous xenograft model. RESULTS: xenograft experiments corroborated these findings, demonstrating significant tumor growth inhibition upon HMOX1 silencing. CONCLUSION: FOXO3-mediated upregulation of HMOX1 promotes melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, immune escape, and ferroptosis resistance. The FOXO3/HMOX1 axis represents a potential therapeutic target for melanoma treatment.