Biochemical mechanism of ferroptosis-mediated cancer cell death in triple-negative breast cancer: An insight

Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death (PCD), distinct from apoptosis, that was identified in 2012. The process is driven by the iron-dependent oxidative degeneration of lipids. Ferroptosis causes cell death through the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species. Free radicals cause degradation of lipid molecules by the removal of electrons through oxidation. The process is dependent on intracellular iron as the accumulation of iron acts as a catalyst for converting peroxides into free radicals. The oxidative degradation of lipids occurs when there is depletion of the antioxidant glutathione and a loss of activity of the lipid repair enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4. The lipid peroxidation then leads to cell membrane denaturation. The biochemical mechanism behind the unique iron-dependent programmed cell death with reference to the triple negative breast cancer have been reviewed in this article.