Tissue-specific iron levels modulate lipid peroxidation and the FLASH radiotherapy effect.

ABSTRACT: Iron is vital to living cells, playing a key role in cellular respiration, DNA synthesis, and various metabolic functions. Importantly, cancer cells have a higher dependency on iron compared to normal cells to support their rapid growth and survival. Due to this fact, tumors are more vulnerable to ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death. Radiation therapy (RT), a standard treatment for many cancer patients, is known to induce ferroptosis. Ultra-high dose rate FLASH RT offers an improved therapeutic window by minimizing damage to normal tissues while preserving tumor control. However, the precise biological mechanisms behind the protective effects of FLASH RT on normal tissues remain unclear. In this study, we propose that variations in lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis

SUBMITTER: Vilaplana-Lopera N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12405469 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature