Exploring the interplay between iron metabolism imbalance and esophageal cancer

Iron metabolism plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, and its dysregulation has been implicated in many cancers. Epidemiological studies have confirmed a significant correlation between iron overload and an increased risk of oesophageal cancer. The purpose of this review is to investigate the relationship between iron metabolism imbalance and oesophageal cancer and to explore the potential application of iron metabolism regulatory mechanisms in the treatment of oesophageal cancer. This paper details the physiological mechanisms that regulate cellular iron homeostasis, including absorption, storage, utilization, and excretion and focuses on changes in iron homeostasis in oesophageal cancer cells. In addition, the paper discusses the multifaceted roles of iron in tumourigenesis, progression and metastasis, as well as the impact of iron metabolism in the tumour microenvironment. Finally, this paper discusses the potential impact of ferroptosis on cancer cell survival, highlights the importance of iron metabolism in oesophageal cancer, and provides new ideas for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oesophageal cancer. Future research should further elucidate the specific role of iron metabolism in esophageal cancer pathogenesis and explore new therapeutic approaches using these mechanisms for more effective treatment strategies.