Published online Jul 15, 2023. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i7.1105
Peer-review started: December 28, 2022
First decision: January 12, 2023
Revised: February 28, 2023
Accepted: April 24, 2023
Article in press: April 24, 2023
Published online: July 15, 2023
Processing time: 195 Days and 18.3 Hours
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common digestive system malignancies in the world. The combined modality treatment of EC is usually surgery and radiation therapy, however, its clinical efficacy for advanced patients is relatively limited. Ferroptosis, a new type of iron-dependent programmed cell death, is different from apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. In recent years, many studies have further enlightened that ferroptosis plays an essential role in the occurrence, development and metastasis of tumors. Targeting ferroptosis stimulates a new direction for further exploration of oncologic treatment regimens. Furthermore, ferroptosis has a critical role in the immune microenvironment of tumors. This paper reviews the mechanism of ferroptosis and the ferroptosis research progress in the treatment of EC. We further elaborate the interaction between ferroptosis and immunotherapy, and the related mechanisms of ferroptosis participation in the immunotherapy of EC, so as to provide new directions and ideas for the treatment of EC.
Core Tip: Recent studies suggested that ferroptosis plays an important role in the development, progression and metastasis of esophageal cancer (EC). Meanwhile, ferroptosis influences the outcome of immunotherapy to some extent. This review aims to elucidate the mechanism of ferroptosis and the ferroptosis research progress in the treatment of EC. We further elaborate the interaction between ferroptosis and immunotherapy, and the related mechanisms of ferroptosis participation in the immunotherapy of EC, so as to provide new directions and ideas for the treatment of EC.