Trace Element Metabolism, Deficiency, and Ferroptosis in Human Disease
This community investigates the biological roles of iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, focusing on how deficiencies cause anemia and how these metals regulate cell death pathways like ferroptosis in cancer and heart failure.
The research centers on iron homeostasis, including the management of deficiency anemia and iron overload, alongside the metabolic functions of zinc and copper. A significant portion of the work examines ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism, particularly in the context of breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies frequently utilize serum levels to assess nutritional status in populations such as pregnant women and children, while also exploring the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress and cell death in various disease states. The literature includes substantial clinical data on intravenous and oral iron therapy, as well as the therapeutic potential of targeting metal-dependent cell death pathways in oncology and cardiology.
The largest share of the community's output is found in iron research, accounting for 11.9% of all iron research, with 12,813 papers in this group. Zinc research follows with 7.7% of its total output represented here, and copper research contributes 5.9%.
The community comprises 47,262 papers, with the most frequent publications appearing in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Biological Trace Element Research, and The Journal of Nutrition.
Recent work continues to focus on the therapeutic targeting of ferroptosis in glioblastoma and other cancers, as well as the development of stable iron delivery platforms for fortification. Newer studies also examine the role of macrophages in iron supply for bone metastasis and the mechanisms of PANoptosis in myocardial injury.