Yurong Liu,1,* Yunheng Liu,1,* Xinting Li,1,* Song Li,1 Xiaokang Zhang,1 Longqing Si,1 Shaojing Jiang,2 Jinghui Hu,2 Jing Chen1 

1School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Prescription Effect and Clinical Evaluation of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, People’s Republic of China; 2Yantai Engineering Research Center for Digital Technology of Stomatology, Characteristic Laboratories of Colleges and Universities in Shandong Province for Digital Stomatology, Institute of Stomatology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Jinghui Hu, Yantai Engineering Research Center for Digital Technology of Stomatology, Characteristic Laboratories of Colleges and Universities in Shandong Province for Digital Stomatology, Institute of Stomatology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, People’s Republic of China, Email bykfhjh@163.com Jing Chen, School of Pharmacy, the Key Laboratory of Prescription Effect and Clinical Evaluation of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, People’s Republic of China, Email chenjingbyyxy@163.com

Abstract: Ferroptosis is a type of iron-dependent programmed cell death characterized by a depletion of glutathione. Although generally less harmful to normal cells, in tumor cells, the high demand for iron ions provides conditions conducive to ferroptosis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent progress in research on the regulation of ferroptosis in tumor cells, summarizing and assessing the current state, trends, and applications of nanomaterials in the regulation of ferroptosis in tumor cells. Given the advantages of nanomaterials in terms of targeting, safety, improved drug efficacy, and reduced side effects, these materials are considered to have potential therapeutic value in modulating ferroptosis in tumor cells via different mechanisms. In this respect, we describe methods for modifying the regulation of iron ions and interfering with glutathione activity and lipid peroxidation. The development of nanomaterials that can be applied to induce or inhibit ferroptosis is anticipated to provide new therapeutic options for the treatment of a diverse range of diseases.

Keywords: iron metabolism, tumor, ferroptosis, nanomaterial