Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40607631›Full record

SynthesisCancer medicine2025

The Role of Iron Chelation Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review on Its Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential.

Gihani Vidanapathirana, Md Sajedul Islam, Sujani Gamage, Alfred K Lam, Vinod Gopalan

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Cancer medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Profiling of macroelements and microelements in colorectal cancer patients and their clinicopathological characteristics.Biometals : an international journal on the role of metal ions in biology, biochemistry, and medicine · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Review
  9. Transmetalation in Cancer Pharmacology.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
  10. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Gihani VidanapathiranaSchool of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2808-6198
Md Sajedul IslamSchool of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3649-8037
Sujani GamageSchool of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Alfred K LamSchool of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2771-564X
Vinod GopalanSchool of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite significant therapeutic advancements in recent decades, colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to exhibit high rates of mortality and morbidity. Chemoresistance and cancer recurrence remain substantial challenges, underscoring the need for novel treatment approaches. Iron chelation therapy has gained profound interest over the years as a potential cancer treatment, leveraging the increased iron demand by tumors. This review evaluates the effects of iron chelation therapy on CRC progression and the underlying mechanisms.

methodA comprehensive review of in vivo and in vitro studies was conducted to assess the effectiveness of iron chelation therapy in CRC. The literature search covered PubMed, Scopus, Medline (via Web of Science), and EMBASE between January 1995 and March 2024.

resultsSeveral in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the impact of iron chelators, such as deferoxamine, deferasirox, thiosemicarbazone-based chelators, quilamine-based chelators, and other novel compounds on CRC. Natural plant extracts with iron-chelating properties have also been explored as potential treatments. Most studies indicate that iron chelation can inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer cells, though some studies suggest cancer-promoting effects. Mechanistically, iron chelation affects several hallmarks of CRC by modulating histone methylation, upregulating NDRG1, and influencing the Wnt/β-catenin and p53 signaling pathways. However, certain iron chelators may inhibit TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and activate the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), potentially accelerating CRC progression.

conclusionFuture exploration of iron chelation therapy in CRC should focus on extensive in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved. A deeper understanding of the genetic and cellular alterations induced by iron chelation will enhance the development of effective therapeutic strategies for CRC.

Indexed as

Chelation TherapyColorectal NeoplasmsIron Chelating AgentsAnimalsHumansIronIronIron Chelating Agentsanticancer effectsColorectal canceriron chelationsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40607631
PMCPMC12224056

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.