Bolesławska Izabela, Bolesławska-Król Natasza, Jakubowski Karol, Przysławski Juliusz, Drzymała-Czyż Sławomira
Department of Bromatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland.
Student Society of Radiotherapy, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, Zyta 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland.
Molecules. 2025 Mar 28;30(7):1507. doi: 10.3390/molecules30071507.
Cancer is a global health challenge, and its development is closely linked to iron metabolism. Cancer cells have an increased demand for this element, which promotes their proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Excess iron catalyzes the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can both induce ferroptosis and initiate oncogenic signaling pathways. The deregulation of iron metabolism in cancer patients leads to anemia or toxic iron overload and also affects the gut microbiota. Lactoferrin (LF), a glycoprotein with strong iron chelating properties, can regulate its availability to cancer cells, thereby limiting their growth and progression. By chelating free Fe ions, LF reduces oxidative stress and inhibits the mechanisms that promote carcinogenesis. Additionally, it exhibits immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects and may enhance the body's anti-tumor response. This review analyses the mechanisms of action of lactoferrin in the context of cancer, with a particular focus on its chelating, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. The multidirectional effects of LF make it a promising component of preventive and therapeutic strategies, requiring further clinical studies.
癌症是一项全球性的健康挑战，其发展与铁代谢密切相关。癌细胞对这种元素的需求增加，这促进了它们的增殖、侵袭和转移。过量的铁催化活性氧（ROS）的形成，ROS既能诱导铁死亡，又能启动致癌信号通路。癌症患者铁代谢失调会导致贫血或铁过载中毒，还会影响肠道微生物群。乳铁蛋白（LF）是一种具有强大铁螯合特性的糖蛋白，它可以调节癌细胞对铁的摄取，从而限制其生长和进展。通过螯合游离铁离子，乳铁蛋白降低氧化应激并抑制促进癌症发生的机制。此外，它还具有免疫调节和抗炎作用，可能增强机体的抗肿瘤反应。本综述分析了乳铁蛋白在癌症背景下的作用机制，特别关注其螯合、抗氧化和免疫调节特性。乳铁蛋白的多向作用使其成为预防和治疗策略中一个有前景的成分，需要进一步的临床研究。
