Ferroptosis: Newly Emerged Regulator for Human Disease

Ferroptosis is a novel, iron-driven form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent membrane-lipid peroxidation. Accumulating evidence has revealed that ferroptosis is heavily involved in multiple physiological and pathological conditions, resulting in remarkable progress in the treatment of multiple diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in and the fundamental features of ferroptosis and outlines the molecular mechanisms that regulate core metabolic pathways and their relevance to cellular physiology. In addition, the mechanisms and functional implications of ferroptosis in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and acute organ injury are discussed, and current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that target ferroptosis are summarized. Finally, the review identifies persistent gaps in the mechanistic understanding, relevant biomarker development, and translational validity of ferroptosis to provide a comprehensive foundation for future research and clinical innovation in the era of precision medicine.