Fatty Acids Metabolism: The Bridge Between Ferroptosis and Ionizing Radiation

Exposure of tumor cells to ionizing radiation (IR) alters the microenvironment, particularly the fatty acid (FA) profile and activity. Moreover, abnormal FA metabolism, either catabolism or anabolism, is essential for synthesizing biological membranes and delivering molecular signals to induce ferroptotic cell death. The current review focuses on the bistable regulation characteristics of FA metabolism and explains how FA catabolism and anabolism pathway crosstalk harmonize different ionizing radiation-regulated ferroptosis responses, resulting in pivotal cell fate decisions. In summary, targeting key molecules involved in lipid metabolism and ferroptosis may amplify the tumor response to IR.

Automated summary

This review explores the impact of ionizing radiation on tumor cells, specifically focusing on the changes in fatty acid metabolism and activity, and how regulating FA metabolism can influence the fate of ferroptotic cell death induced by ionizing radiation. Targeting key molecules involved in lipid metabolism and ferroptosis may enhance tumor response to IR.