The oral iron chelator deferasirox induces apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cells by targeting caspase.

摘要

Iron is absolutely necessary for DNA synthesis. In the absence of iron, cells are unable to progress from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle, which can lead to apopto-sis and cell death [1]. Rapidly dividing cancer cells have a higher requirement for iron than normal cells, making them sensitive to iron depletion. Hence, iron can be a novel molecular target of new anti-cancer agents, and a number of studies using iron chelators for the treatment of tumors have been conducted [2].