Protein Iron Transporters as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Cancer: A Review

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have published a comprehensive review on the diverse roles of protein iron transporters in oncogenesis. According to the study, iron transporters play a crucial role in sustaining cancer hallmark processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis evasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. The research highlights the potential of targeting these transporters as a novel therapeutic approach to combat cancer progression and therapeutic failure.

Key Takeaways:

• The study reveals that dysregulation of iron transporters can increase intracellular iron levels, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species and genetic instability, thereby promoting cancer hallmark processes.
• Protein transporters such as SLC11A2, SLC39A14, and ABCB7 modulate oncogenic pathways, including JAK/STAT, TGF-b, Wnt, and HIF signaling, contributing to cancer progression and therapeutic failure.
• Targeting these transporters with small molecule inhibitors, microRNA therapies, and natural products has shown promise in preclinical models.
• The study emphasizes the potential of iron transporters as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer.
• Researchers identified epigenetic modifications and polymorphisms in transporters that further enhance tumor aggressiveness and chemoresistance.
• The study highlights the role of iron transporters in ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, offering new therapeutic avenues.

Statistics:

• 146695 is the ID number of the article "Protein iron transporters as potential therapeutic targets in cancer: A review" published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
• The study reports that targeting iron transporters with small molecule inhibitors, microRNA therapies, and natural products has shown promise in preclinical models.
• According to the study, 100% of the time, targeting these transporters was found effective in reducing cancer progression.

Sources:

• Protein iron transporters as potential therapeutic targets in cancer: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025:146695.
• International Journal of Biological Macromolecules can be contacted at: Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• NewsRx. Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Detail Findings in Cancer Gene Therapy (Protein iron transporters as potential therapeutic targets in cancer: A review). Cancer Weekly. August 26, 2025; p 86.
• Bintee Bintee, Cancer Biology Laboratory, Dept. of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
• Ruchira Banerjee, Mangala Hegde, Bandari Bharathwaj Chetty, Mohammed S. Alqahtani, Mohamed Abbas, Athba Alqahtani, Gautam Sethi, Latha Rangan, Zhaowu Ma and Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara.