Crosstalk between ferroptosis and cuproptosis: From mechanism to potential clinical application

The Regulation of Trace Metal Elements in Cancer Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, as novel type of regulated cell death that has garnered widespread attention over the past decade, has witnessed the continuous discovery of an increasing number of regulatory mechanisms. Trace metal elements play a multifaceted and crucial role in oncology. Interestingly, it has been increasingly evident that these elements, such as copper, are involved in the regulation of iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation and antiferroptotic systems, suggesting the existence of "nonferrous" mechanisms in ferroptosis. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the composition and mechanism of ferroptosis is provided. The interaction between copper metabolism (including cuproptosis) and ferroptosis in cancer, as well as the roles of other trace metal elements (such as zinc, manganese, cobalt, and molybdenum) in ferroptosis are specifically focused. Furthermore, the applications of nanomaterials based on these metals in cancer therapy are also reviewed and potential strategies for co-targeting ferroptosis and cuproptosis are explored. Nevertheless, in light of the intricate and ambiguous nature of these interactions, ongoing research is essential to further elucidate the "nonferrous" mechanisms of ferroptosis, thereby facilitating the development of novel therapeutic targets and approaches for cancer treatment.

Enhanced cancer therapy using modified magnetic α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4nanorods: Dual role in curcumin delivery and ferroptosis induction

Curcumin (CUR) has gained considerable attention in oncology due to its potent anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, its clinical utility was significantly hindered by low bioavailability and rapid metabolic degradation. This work designed a magnetic α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 heterogeneous nanorod prepared via a urea hydrolysis-calcination process for curcumin delivery. The nanorods were modified with hyaluronic acid (HA), providing a stable matrix for curcumin encapsulation. The zeta potential of α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4/HA/CUR was -3.94 mV, the saturation magnetization was 7.82 emu·g-1, the encapsulation rate and drug loading rate were 10.53 % and 29.64 % respectively. At pH 5.4, 6.5, and 7.4, the release rates were 44.8 %, 40.2 %, and 39.3 %, respectively. Kinetic modeling indicated that release profiles followed the Weibull kinetic model, with an R2 value greater than 0.98. The α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4/HA/CUR exhibited excellent magnetic responsiveness, demonstrating a significant inhibitory effect on human liver cancer (HepG2) cells (inhibition rate greater than 60 %) under a magnetic field. Moreover, they substantially reduced the cytotoxicity of curcumin on normal human (LO2) cells. The α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4/HA/CUR inhibited migration and proliferation of HepG2 cells, induced apoptosis via the Caspase pathway, and synergistically suppressed tumor cell development through ferroptosis. The drug release from the α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4/HA/CUR was stable, significantly enhancing the bioavailability of curcumin. This provided a promising strategy for improving the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs and enhancing liver cancer treatment outcomes.

Cross-talks of GSH, mitochondria, RNA m6A modification, NRF2, and p53 between ferroptosis and cuproptosis in HCC: A review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality, as well as poor prognosis. Therefore, it is imperative to explore alternative therapeutic targets for HCC treatment. Ferroptosis and cuproptosis have recently been identified as metal-dependent cell death mechanisms that play significant roles in HCC treatment. This study identified potential cross-talk between ferroptosis and cuproptosis, including the common hub glutathione, common site of occurrence, mitochondria, shared epigenetic modification mode, RNA N6 methyladenosine modification, mutual inhibitor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and dual regulator, p53. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the joint induction of HCC cell death and effective inhibition of HCC progression. However, some immune cells are susceptible to ferroptosis or cuproptosis, which may impair or enhance anti-cancer immune function. We propose strategies to target specific targets molecules such as tripartite motif containing 25, ferroptosis suppressor protein 1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma or exploit the unique acidic environment surrounding cancer cells to precisely induce ferroptosis in cancer cells. This approach aims to advance the development of precision medicine for HCC treatment.

Potential relationship between cuproptosis and sepsis-acquired weakness: an intermediate role for mitochondria

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Skeletal muscle atrophy due to critical illness is a common phenomenon in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is referred to as ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). The occurrence of ICU-AW in patients with sepsis is known as sepsis-acquired weakness (SAW). Furthermore, it is well known that maintaining normal muscle function closely relates to mitochondrial homeostasis. Once mitochondrial function is impaired, both muscle quality and function are affected. Copper plays a key role in mitochondrial homeostasis as a transition metal that regulates the function and stability of various enzymes. Copper is also involved in oxidation-reduction reactions, and intracellular copper overload causes oxidative stress and induces cell death. Previous studies have shown that excess intracellular copper induces cell death by targeting lipid-acylated proteins that regulate the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which differs from the known canonical mechanisms of regulated cell death. Furthermore, inhibitors of cell death, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, are not effective in preventing copper-induced cell death. This new form of cell death has been termed "Cuproptosis"; however, the mechanism by which copper-induced cell death is involved in SAW remains unclear. In this paper, we review the possible relationship between cuproptosis and SAW. Cuproptosis may be involved in regulating the pathological mechanisms of SAW through mitochondria-related signaling pathways, mitochondria-related ferroptosis mechanisms, and mitochondria-related genes, and to provide new ideas for further investigations into the mechanism of SAW.

Integrated Analysis of Bulk and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Data Reveal a Novel Prognostic Signature of Combining Cuproptosis- and Ferroptosis-Related Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

As a common malignancy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation and metastasis could be promoted by ferroptosis and cuproptosis. In this study, we screened out the differentially expressed cuproptosis- and ferroptosis-related genes (CFRGs) and identified the 17 informative prognosis-associated genes. A CFRG scoring model was constructed based on the subtypes identified by consensus clustering analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Furthermore, the immune profile, expression of immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) and drug susceptibility were also compared between the two CFRG score groups. The results showed that patients with a high CFRG score had higher survival probabilities. The correlation analysis suggested that CFRG scores were negatively correlated with activated CD4.T.cell. The expression patterns of thirty ICGs and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 128 drugs displayed significant differences between the two CFRG score groups. A statistically significant difference in the efficacy of sorafenib was found between the two CFRG score groups. Moreover, based on multivariate COX regression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we screened DLAT and SLC2A1 as signature genes. Molecular docking analysis revealed that DLAT and SLC2A1 had a strong binding affinity toward camptothecin, rapamycin, dactolisib, and luminespib. The correlation between the CFRG score and single-cell characteristics was further explored. The study depended on our understanding of the biological function of CFRGs in HCC and provided new insights for developing treatment strategies.

Functional nanozyme system for synergistic tumor immunotherapy via cuproptosis and ferroptosis activation

Elevated copper levels induce tumor cuproptosis and ferroptosis, leading to immunogenic cell death and subsequent antitumor immune responses. However, dysregulated copper metabolism in tumor cells maintains homeostatic copper balance, while hypoxic microenvironments hinder therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we present a nanozyme system, termed CussOMEp, comprising a copper-based nanovector (CussNV) that is PEGylated and loaded with omeprazole, a copper transporter inhibitor, to enhance tumor synergistic immunotherapy by promoting cuproptosis and ferroptosis. CussNV is assembled from dithiodiglycolic acid and copper ions, exhibiting peroxidase, glutathione oxidase, and catalase-like activities, along with responsive degradability. This nanozyme alleviates tumor hypoxia by producing oxygen, induces ferroptosis through the generation of lethal hydroxyl radicals, and depletes glutathione. Additionally, omeprazole increases cellular copper concentration and oxidative stress by inhibiting the intracellular copper-transporting ATPase 1 (ATP7A), enhancing lipoylated protein oligomerization and cuproptosis. In a breast tumor mouse model, CussOMEp elicits robust antitumor immune responses, including dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation. When combined with PD-1 antibodies (αPD-1), CussOMEp significantly inhibits tumor metastasis in bilateral and lung metastatic models. This work presents a functional nanozyme system as a promising strategy for synergistic tumor immunotherapy leveraging ferroptosis and cuproptosis.

Atomically dispersed copper(I) on tungstosilicic acid for catalytic protection against cisplatin-induced hearing loss

The employment of platinum-based drugs for cancer chemotherapy, which might yield oxidative stress, is regarded as one main factor leading to hearing loss. The exact molecular mechanisms for cisplatin-induced hearing loss require further clarification, thus limiting the development of FDA-approved therapies. Herein, we mimicked the molecular structure of natural antioxidative enzymes to fabricate a four-oxygen-coordinating copper single-atom nanozyme (Cu SAN) exhibiting good superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, to alleviate the oxidative stress induced by platinum-based drugs. Notably, Cu SAN exhibited profound protective effects against cisplatin-induced hair cell damage with only 15 ng mL-1 of Cu species, successfully reversing cisplatin-induced hearing loss via oral administration. Due to its oxidation resistance, pretreatment with Cu SAN significantly improved cell viability and reduced ROS accumulation in cisplatin-triggered hair cell damage in HEI-OC1 cells and cochlear explants. Our results first demonstrated that cisplatin treatment induced cuproptosis in hair cells by modulating copper ion homeostasis. Further investigation revealed that Cu SAN nanozyme effectively alleviated hair cell cuproptosis by regulating FDX1 and reducing aggregated lipoacylated protein. This research underscores the promising potential of four-oxygen-coordinating Cu nanomaterials as a therapeutic approach to combat hearing loss, providing a new strategy for auditory protection.

Edaravone dextranol alleviates ferroptosis, Cuproptosis, and blood-brain barrier damage after acute cerebral infarction

Edaravone dextrose (EDB) is a commonly used clinical treatment for cerebral infarction due to its anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties. However, its potential additional neuroprotective mechanisms need to be further investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EDB on ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption after cerebral infarction in vivo and in vitro by constructing a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, and an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model of neurons and brain microvascular endothelium. Our results showed that EDB treatment improved neurological impairment and brain histopathology in MCAO mice. EDB treatment significantly alleviated ferroptosis and cuproptosis in MCAO mice and OGD/R models of neuronal, in vitro and in vivo, the protective pathway of ferroptosis SLC7A11/GPX4 was detected to be activated and the cuproptosis-promoting protein SLC31A1 and FDX1 were down-regulated. We also found that EDB treatment ameliorated BBB damage in MCAO mice. The endothelial cell protective pathway PDGFRβ/PI3K/AKT activation was also detected in MCAO mice and OGD/R models of endothelial cells after EDB treatment. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that EDB has a good ameliorating effect on ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and BBB damage after cerebral infarction, which provides more evidence for the clinical application of EDB and provides new theories and directions for the study of the mechanism of EDB.

Kynureninase induce cuproptosis resistance in gastric cancer progression through downregulating lipotic acid synthetase mediated non-canonical mechanism

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most malignant tumors, with the lowest five-year survival rate, and limited treatment options. Kynureninase (KYNU), is a key molecule in tryptophan metabolism and promotes tumor progression and immunosuppression. Cuproptosis is a non-apoptotic cell death mechanism, primarily due to oxidative stress caused by copper ion accumulation, that is related to tumor progression and drug resistance. KYNU can inhibit ferroptosis of tumor cells by alleviating oxidative stress. Here, we explored whether KYNU can regulate the biological behavior of GC and cuproptosis.

METHODS

Expression, prognostic association, and functional analysis of KYNU in GC and tumor-adjacent tissues were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and clinical specimens. Effects of KYNU on proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and cuproptosis of GC cells were detected by CCK8, clone formation, Transwell, and flow cytometry assays. Elesclomol (ES) combined with CuCl2 were used to induce cuproptosis in GC cells. 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HA) was used to indicate KYNU function. Key cuproptosis genes were detected by qPCR and WB. The effects of KYNU on GC cell behavior and cuproptosis through lipoic acid synthetase (LIAS) were verified by stable overexpression and knockdown of LIAS.

RESULTS

KYNU is highly expressed in GC, and high KYNU expression is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with GC. KYNU can promote GC cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and cuproptosis resistance. 3-HA had a certain inhibitory effect on the expression of LIAS, but it was not significant. KYNU had no effect on the intracellular 3-HA level. KYNU expression was negatively correlated with that of LIAS, and promoted GC cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and cuproptosis resistance by downregulating LIAS.

CONCLUSIONS

KYNU can promote GC proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and cuproptosis resistance.This effect is not associated with its metabolite 3-HA, but is achieved by a non classical mechanisms that downregulating the expression of LIAS, a key gene of cuproptosis.

Metal-dependent cell death resistance contribute to lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives

Ferroptosis and cuproptosis can be summarized as metal-dependent cell death. This study aimed to explore the expression of metal-dependent cell death resistance (MCDR) characteristics in tumor cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to explore its relationship with lymph node metastasis (LNM).

Methods

By integrating single-cell data of OSCC from public databases, an expression matrix comprising 127,149 cells was constructed. Gene set scores were calculated using the irGSEA package, and GO and KEGG analyses were performed to identify enriched pathways. The R package monocle3 was employed to calculate the cell trajectory and infer evolutionary patterns. The MuSiC2 package was employed to enable the evaluation of cell proportions. Cell-cell interaction information was analyzed using the CellChat package. The expression of cathepsin V (CTSV), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) was validated via immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunohistochemistry in oral mucosa (OM), non-metastatic primary tumors (nPT), and metastatic primary tumors (mPT). Additionally, R package oncoPredict was utilized to identify potential drug sensitivities.

Results

The malignant cells in OSCC were divided into five subtypes, among which Epi_2 existed more in mPT and had higher MCDR characteristics. In addition, Epi_2 enriched multiple malignant-related pathways such as HEDGEHOG, NOTCH, and MYC. The spatial transcriptome and bulk RNA data verified that the proportion of Epi_2 in mPT was higher than that in nPT. Cell communication analysis showed that the effect of Epi_2 on endothelial cells was enhanced, which was mainly reflected in VEGFR and CXCL signaling pathways. Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of Epi_2 characteristic markers CTSV and GPX4 in mPT was significantly higher than that in nPT. Multiplex immunohistochemical results showed that the co-expression cells of CTSV, GPX4 and CDKN2A in mPT were more than those in nPT. OSCC patients with high Epi_2 characteristics may have immunotherapy resistance and anti-EGFR treatment resistance. Doramapimod was identified as a sensitive drug.

Conclusion

There is a type of malignant cells with characteristics of MDCR in OSCC, which is related to LNM and treatment resistance. It provides a predictive marker for early diagnosis of LNM.

Advances in cuproptosis harnessing copper-based nanomaterials for cancer therapy

Cuproptosis, a newly identified programmed cell death form, is characterized by excessive copper accumulation in cells, resulting in mitochondria damage and toxic protein stress, ultimately causing cell death. Given the considerable therapeutic promise of copper toxicity in cancer treatment, copper-based nanomaterials that induce copper death have attracted interest as a promising approach for tumor therapy. This review comprehensively introduces the mechanisms of cuproptosis and the associated regulatory genes, including both positive and negative regulatory regulators, and systematically summarizes the application of various nanoparticles in inducing cuproptosis, ranging from inorganic copper compounds to delivery systems. These nanoparticles offer significant advantages, such as improving copper absorption, extending the duration of effectiveness, enhancing the precision of copper release, increasing biocompatibility, and serving as enhancers in combination therapy. In conclusion, the authors present a detailed overview and insights into the current research directions of nanoplatforms that facilitate copper-induced cancer treatment, establishing a foundation for the future development of effective nanomedicines that induce cuproptosis and offering new possibilities and treatment strategies for tumor therapy.

The role of ferroptosis in acute kidney injury: mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common and severe clinical renal syndromes with high morbidity and mortality. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death (PCD), is characterized by iron overload, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and lipid peroxidation. As ferroptosis has been increasingly studied in recent years, it is closely associated with the pathophysiological process of AKI and provides a target for the treatment of AKI. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, summarizes its role in various AKI models, and explores its interaction with other forms of cell death, it also presents research on ferroptosis in AKI progression to other diseases. Additionally, the review highlights methods for detecting and assessing AKI through the lens of ferroptosis and describes potential inhibitors of ferroptosis for AKI treatment. Finally, the review presents a perspective on the future of clinical AKI treatment, aiming to stimulate further research on ferroptosis in AKI.

Cuproptosis and copper as potential mechanisms and intervention targets in Alzheimer's disease

Recently study has found a new form of copper-dependent death called cuproptosis, which differs from apoptosis, ferroptosis, and necrosis. The main process of cuproptosis is copper directly combined with lipid-acetylated proteins in the TCA cycle of mitochondrial response, leading to the aggregation of lipid-acetylated proteins and the loss of Fe-S cluster proteins, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction, and eventually causing cell death. Previous studies demonstrated that an imbalance in copper homeostasis exacerbates the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through the induction of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and the accumulation of Aβ deposition and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. However, the underlying mechanisms remains to be elucidated. More importantly, research identifies the role of cuproptosis and further elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms in AD. This review summarized the effects of copper metabolism on AD pathology, the characteristics and mechanism of cuproptosis and we discuss the significance of cuproptosis in the pathogenesis of AD.

Multifunctional drug delivery nanoparticles for combined chemotherapy/chemodynamic/photothermal therapy against colorectal cancer through synergistic cuproptosis/ferroptosis/apoptosis

The use of combination therapies that employ a variety of cell death mechanisms has emerged as a promising avenue of research in the treatment of cancer. However, the optimization of therapeutic synergies when integrating different modes remains a significant challenge. To this end, we developed a multifunctional intelligent drug-carrying nanoparticle (DFMTCH NPs) based on the metal-organic framework MIL-100, loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and disulfiram (DSF), coated with a Cu-tannic acid (Cu-TA) network and hyaluronic acid (HA), for the purpose of combined chemotherapy/chemodynamic/photothermal anti-cancer therapy. On the one hand, the DFMTCH NPs exhibited a range of therapeutic capabilities, including chemotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and chemodynamic therapy (CDT), which collectively enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, DFMTCH NPs proved sensitive photoacoustic imaging (PAI) in image-guided therapy. On the other hand, DFMTCH NPs could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consume glutathione (GSH) by amplifying cellular oxidative stress, while causing intracellular mitochondrial dysfunction, inducing effective cuproptosis/ferroptosis/apoptosis to inhibit tumor growth. Collectively, this work provided an innovative strategy for designing multifunctional nanoparticles for effective combination therapies to combat colorectal cancer (CRC).

Targeting the initiator to activate both ferroptosis and cuproptosis for breast cancer treatment: progress and possibility for clinical application

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Metal metabolism is pivotal for regulating cell fate and drug sensitivity in breast cancer. Iron and copper are essential metal ions critical for maintaining cellular function. The accumulation of iron and copper ions triggers distinct cell death pathways, known as ferroptosis and cuproptosis, respectively. Ferroptosis is characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, while cuproptosis involves copper-induced oxidative stress. They are increasingly recognized as promising targets for the development of anticancer drugs. Recently, compelling evidence demonstrated that the interplay between ferroptosis and cuproptosis plays a crucial role in regulating breast cancer progression. This review elucidates the converging pathways of ferroptosis and cuproptosis in breast cancer. Moreover, we examined the value of genes associated with ferroptosis and cuproptosis in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, mainly outlining the potential for a co-targeting approach. Lastly, we delve into the current challenges and limitations of this strategy. In general, this review offers an overview of the interaction between ferroptosis and cuproptosis in breast cancer, offering valuable perspectives for further research and clinical treatment.

Integration of machine learning and experimental validation to identify the prognostic signature related to diverse programmed cell deaths in breast cancer

Background

Programmed cell death (PCD) is closely related to the occurrence, development, and treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between various programmed cell death patterns and the prognosis of breast cancer (BRCA) patients.

Methods

The levels of 19 different programmed cell deaths in breast cancer were assessed by ssGSEA analysis, and these PCD scores were summed to obtain the PCDS for each sample. The relationship of PCDS with immune as well as metabolism-related pathways was explored. PCD-associated subtypes were obtained by unsupervised consensus clustering analysis, and differentially expressed genes between subtypes were analyzed. The prognostic signature (PCDRS) were constructed by the best combination of 101 machine learning algorithm combinations, and the C-index of PCDRS was compared with 30 published signatures. In addition, we analyzed PCDRS in relation to immune as well as therapeutic responses. The distribution of genes in different cells was explored by single-cell analysis and spatial transcriptome analysis. Potential drugs targeting key genes were analyzed by Cmap. Finally, the expression levels of key genes in clinical tissues were verified by RT-PCR.

Results

PCDS showed higher levels in cancer compared to normal. Different PCDS groups showed significant differences in immune and metabolism-related pathways. PCDRS, consisting of seven key genes, showed robust predictive ability over other signatures in different datasets. The high PCDRS group had a poorer prognosis and was strongly associated with a cancer-promoting tumor microenvironment. The low PCDRS group exhibited higher levels of anti-cancer immunity and responded better to immune checkpoint inhibitors as well as chemotherapy-related drugs. Clofibrate and imatinib could serve as potential small-molecule complexes targeting SLC7A5 and BCL2A1, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of seven genes were upregulated in clinical cancer tissues.

Conclusion

PCDRS can be used as a biomarker to assess the prognosis and treatment response of BRCA patients, which offers novel insights for prognostic monitoring and treatment personalization of BRCA patients.

Metal-Dependent Cell Death in Renal Fibrosis: Now and in the Future

Renal fibrosis is a common final pathway underlying nearly almost all progressive kidney diseases. Metal ions are essential trace elements in organisms and are involved in important physiological activities. However, aberrations in intracellular metal ion metabolism may disrupt homeostasis, causing cell death and increasing susceptibility to various diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests a complex association between metal-dependent cell death and renal fibrosis. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the specific molecular mechanisms of metal-dependent cell death and their crosstalk, up-to-date evidence supporting their role in renal fibrosis, therapeutic targeting strategies, and research needs, aiming to offer a rationale for future clinical treatment of renal fibrosis.

Decoding ferroptosis: transforming orthopedic disease management

As a mechanism of cell death, ferroptosis has gained popularity since 2012. The process is distinguished by iron toxicity and phospholipid accumulation, in contrast to autophagy, apoptosis, and other cell death mechanisms. It is implicated in the advancement of multiple diseases across the body. Researchers currently know that osteosarcoma, osteoporosis, and other orthopedic disorders are caused by NRF2, GPX4, and other ferroptosis star proteins. The effective relief of osteoarthritis symptoms from deterioration has been confirmed by clinical treatment with multiple ferroptosis inhibitors. At the same time, it should be reminded that the mechanisms involved in ferroptosis that regulate orthopedic diseases are not currently understood. In this manuscript, we present the discovery process of ferroptosis, the mechanisms involved in ferroptosis, and the role of ferroptosis in a variety of orthopedic diseases. We expect that this manuscript can provide a new perspective on clinical diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.

Exploration and breakthrough in the mode of intervertebral disc cell death may lead to significant advances in treatments for intervertebral disc degeneration

Low back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) has emerged as a significant global public health concern, with far-reaching consequences for patients' quality of life and healthcare systems. Although previous research have revealed that the mechanisms of intervertebral disc cell apoptosis, pyroptosis and necroptosis can aggravate IDD damage by mediating inflammation and promoting extracellular matrix degradation, but they cannot explain the connection between different cell death mechanisms and ion metabolism disorders. The latest study shows that cell death mechanisms such as cellular senescence, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis, and PANopotosis have similar roles in the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration, but not exactly the same damage mechanism. This paper summarizes the effects of various cell death patterns on the disease progression of IDD, related molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways, providing new perspectives and potential clinical intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of IDD.

Cuproptosis in cancer therapy: mechanisms, therapeutic application and future prospects

Cuproptosis is a regulated form of cell death induced by the accumulation of metal ions and is closely linked to aspects of cellular drug resistance, cellular metabolism, and signalling pathways. Due to its crucial role in regulating physiological and pathological processes, cuproptosis has gained increasing significance as a potential target for anticancer drug development. In this review, we introduce the definition of cuproptosis and provide a comprehensive discussion of the mechanisms of cuproptosis. In addition, the methods for the detection of cuproptosis are summarized, and recent advances in cuproptosis in cancer therapy are reviewed, mainly in terms of elesclomol (ES)-mediated cuproptosis and disulfiram (DSF)-mediated cuproptosis, which provided practical value for applications. Finally, the current challenges and future development of cuproptosis-mediated cancer therapy are discussed. In summary, this review highlights recent progress on cuproptosis in cancer therapy, offering novel ideas and strategies for future research and applications.

PEGylated Elesclomol@Cu(Ⅱ)-based Metal‒organic framework with effective nanozyme performance and cuproptosis induction efficacy for enhanced PD-L1-based immunotherapy

Nanozymes constitute a promising treatment strategy for antitumor therapy. However, the catalytic function of metal‒organic framework (MOF)-based nanozymes during cuproptosis remains unclear. In this study, a Cu(Ⅱ)-based MOF nanocomposite loaded with the copper ionophore elesclomol and surface modified with polyethylene glycol polymer (PEG) was developed (ES@Cu(Ⅱ)-MOF) for effective cuproptosis induction. The peroxidase (POD)-like activity of ES@Cu(Ⅱ)-MOF generated an abundance of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) via a Fenton-like reaction, and its glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)-like activity converted Cu2+ into more toxic Cu+ ions to efficiently consume endogenous GSH. Notably, the rapid accumulation of Cu+ and ES in tumor cells induced the aggregation of lipoylated dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) and the downregulation of Fe‒S cluster proteins, ultimately leading to cuproptosis. ES@Cu(Ⅱ)-MOF exhibited extraordinary cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells in vitro and significantly suppressed 4T1 breast tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, ES@Cu(Ⅱ)-MOF induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) to increase the antitumor immune response. Furthermore, combining ES@Cu(Ⅱ)-MOF with an anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody converted the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to an immunogenic microenvironment, thus effectively inhibiting breast tumor growth. Overall, this work provides an innovative approach utilizing nanozymes to facilitate cuproptosis for cancer treatment, which potentially enhances the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy.

Psychiatric Symptoms in Wilson's Disease-Consequence of ATP7B Gene Mutations or Just Coincidence?-Possible Causal Cascades and Molecular Pathways

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism. The genetic defect in WD affects the ATP7B gene, which encodes the ATP7B transmembrane protein, which is essential for maintaining normal copper homeostasis in the body. It is primarily expressed in the liver and acts by incorporating copper into ceruloplasmin (Cp), the major copper transport protein in the blood. In conditions of excess copper, ATP7B transports it to bile for excretion. Mutations in ATP7B lead to impaired ATP7B function, resulting in copper accumulation in hepatocytes leading to their damage. The toxic "free"-unbound to Cp-copper released from hepatocytes then accumulates in various organs, contributing to their damage and clinical manifestations of WD, including hepatic, neurological, hematological, renal, musculoskeletal, ophthalmological, psychiatric, and other effects. While most clinical manifestations of WD correspond to identifiable organic or cellular damage, the pathophysiology underlying its psychiatric manifestations remains less clearly understood. A search for relevant articles was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, Willy Online Library, and Google Scholar, combining free text and MeSH terms using a wide range of synonyms and related terms, including "Wilson's disease", "hepatolenticular degeneration", "psychiatric manifestations", "molecular mechanisms", "pathomechanism", and others, as well as their combinations. Psychiatric symptoms of WD include cognitive disorders, personality and behavioral disorders, mood disorders, psychosis, and other mental disorders. They are not strictly related to the location of brain damage, therefore, the question arises whether these symptoms are caused by WD or are simply a coincidence or a reaction to the diagnosis of a genetic disease. Hypotheses regarding the etiology of psychiatric symptoms of WD suggest a variety of molecular mechanisms, including copper-induced CNS toxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, mitophagy, cuproptosis, ferroptosis, dysregulation of neurotransmission, deficiencies of neurotrophic factors, or immune dysregulation. New studies on the expression of noncoding RNA in WD are beginning to shed light on potential molecular pathways involved in psychiatric symptomatology. However, current evidence is still insufficient to definitively establish the cause of psychiatric symptoms in WD. It is possible that the etiology of psychiatric symptoms varies among individuals, with multiple biological and psychological mechanisms contributing to them simultaneously. Future studies with larger samples and comprehensive analyses are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the psychiatric manifestations of WD and to optimize diagnostics and therapeutic approaches.

Cuproptosis and Cuproptosis-Based Synergistic Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Copper, as an essential trace nutrient for human, plays a crucial role in numerous cellular activities, and is vital for maintaining homeostasis in organisms. Deviations from normal intracellular copper concentration range can disrupt the cellular homeostasis and lead to cell death. Cell death is the process in which cells lose their vitality and cannot sustain normal metabolism, which has various forms. The recently discovered cuproptosis mechanism differs from the previously recognized forms, which is triggered by intracellular copper accumulation. The discovery of cuproptosis has sparked interest among researchers, and this mechanism has been applied in the treatment of various intractable diseases, including different types of cancer. However, the developed cuproptosis-based therapies have revealed certain limitations, such as low immunostimulatory efficiency, poor tumor targeting, and inhibition by the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, researchers are devoted to combining cuproptosis with existing cancer therapies to develop more effective synergistic cancer therapies. This review summarizes the latest research advancements in the cuproptosis-based therapies for various types of cancer, with a focus on the synergistic cancer therapies. Finally, it provides an outlook on the future development of cuproptosis in anti-tumor therapy.

Unveiling Cuproptosis: Mechanistic insights, roles, and leading advances in oncology

Copper, a vital micronutrient, performs essential functions in numerous biological settings. Its disrupted metabolism is implicated in both the initiation of tumors and therapeutic interventions for cancer, underscoring the critical necessity of preserving copper homeostasis. Cuproptosis, a regulated cell death (RCD) modulated by copper, is activated in response to elevated copper concentrations, prompting an investigation into its implication in oncogenesis. Within this review, an exploration is conducted into copper dynamics and homeostasis maintenance within cells. Furthermore, it delves into the mechanisms underlying cuproptosis and its interplay with signaling pathways implicated in cancer. The potential synergy between cuproptosis and ferroptosis and its impact on tumor immunomodulation is discussed. Additionally, promising avenues for addressing cuproptosis in cancer involve assessing the utility of copper chelators and ionophores. By addressing pressing questions surrounding cuproptosis and outlining its pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis and treatment, this review propounds targeting cuproptosis as a promising frontier in antitumor therapy, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment strategies.

lncRNAs as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in cuproptosis-mediated cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators in various cellular processes, including cancer progression and stress response. Recent studies have demonstrated that copper accumulation induces a unique form of cell death known as cuproptosis, with lncRNAs playing a key role in regulating cuproptosis-associated pathways. These lncRNAs may trigger cell-specific responses to copper stress, presenting new opportunities as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. This paper delves into the role of lncRNAs in cuproptosis-mediated cancer, underscoring their potential as biomarkers and targets for innovative therapeutic strategies. A thorough review of scientific literature was conducted, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, with search terms like 'lncRNAs,' 'cuproptosis,' and 'cancer.' Studies were selected based on their relevance to lncRNA regulation of cuproptosis pathways and their implications for cancer prognosis and treatment. The review highlights the significant contribution of lncRNAs in regulating cuproptosis-related genes and pathways, impacting copper metabolism, mitochondrial stress responses, and apoptotic signaling. Specific lncRNAs are potential prognostic markers in breast, lung, liver, ovarian, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. The objective of this article is to explore the role of lncRNAs as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in cancers mediated by cuproptosis.

Copper and liver fibrosis in MASLD: the two-edged sword of copper deficiency and toxicity

Copper is a trace metal whose absence or deficiency can cause structural and functional alterations that can be corrected by copper administration. Copper excess is associated with significant liver toxicity, such as that seen in Wilson’s disease, which often exhibits liver steatosis and can be managed by copper sequestrants. Copper, due to its ability to either accept or donate electrons, is a cofactor in many physiological redox reactions, playing an essential role in cell energy homeostasis, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and hepatic immunometabolism. Given these facts, it is reasonable to speculate that copper might be involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in the setting of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD). To address this research question, a narrative review of published studies was conducted, spanning from the needs, sources, and toxicity of copper to Menkes and Wilson’s disease. Most epidemiological studies have demonstrated that MASLD is associated with copper deficiency. However, several studies show that MASLD is associated with copper excess and very few conclude that copper is not associated with MASLD. Therefore, the putative pathomechanisms associating both copper excess and deficiency with MASLD development and progression are reviewed. In conclusion, epidemiological and pathogenic data support the notion that well-balanced copper homeostasis is a prerequisite for liver health. Accordingly, both copper excess and deficiency may potentially predispose to liver fibrosis via the development of MASLD. Therefore, studies aimed at restoring normal bodily stores of copper should be tailored according to precision medicine approaches based on the specific features of copper metabolism in individual MASLD patients.

An Overview of Hexavalent Chromium-Induced Necroptosis, Pyroptosis, and Ferroptosis

Heavy metals are common environmental industrial pollutants. Due to anthropogenic activity, chromium, especially its hexavalent form [Cr(VI)], is a widespread environmental contaminant that poses a threat to human health. In this review paper, we summarize the currently reported molecular mechanisms involved in chromium toxicity with a focus on the induction of pro-inflammatory non-apoptotic cell death pathways such as necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. The review highlights the ability of chromium to induce necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis revealing the signaling pathways involved. Cr(VI) can induce RIPK1/RIPK3-dependent necroptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Chromium toxicity is associated with pyroptotic NLRP3 inflammasome/caspase-1/gasdermin D-dependent secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the role of redox imbalance and intracellular iron accumulation in Cr(VI)-induced ferroptosis. Of note, the crosstalk between the investigated lethal subroutines in chromium-induced toxicity is primarily mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are suggested to act as a rheostat determining the cell death pathway in cells exposed to chromium. The current study provides novel insights into the pro-inflammatory effects of chromium, since necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis affect inflammation owing to their immunogenic properties linked primarily with damage-associated molecular patterns. Inhibition of these non-apoptotic lethal subroutines can be considered a therapeutic strategy to reduce the toxicity of heavy metals, including chromium.

The clinicopathological significance and prognostic impact of 14-3-3σ/stratifin expression on patients with surgically resectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma. Through data mining of publicly available iCCA transcriptomic datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus, we identified SFN as the most significantly up-regulated gene in iCCA compared to normal tissue, focusing on the Gene Ontology term "cell proliferation" (GO:0008283). SFN encodes the 14-3-3σ protein, also known as stratifin, which plays crucial roles in various cellular processes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was used to assess stratifin expression in 182 patients with localized iCCAs undergoing surgical resection. Patients were divided into low and high expression groups, and the association between stratifin expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to assess overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and metastasis-free survival (MeFS).

RESULTS

Elevated stratifin expression in iCCAs was significantly associated with the absence of hepatitis, positive surgical margins, advanced primary tumor stages, and higher histological grades (all p ≤ 0.011). Survival analyses demonstrated a significant negative association between stratifin expression and all prognostic indicators, including OS, DSS, LRFS, and MeFS (all p ≤ 0.0004). Multivariate analysis revealed that stratifin overexpression was significantly correlated with poorer outcomes in terms of DSS, LRFS, and MeFS (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that stratifin may play a crucial role in iCCA oncogenesis and tumor progression, serving as a potential novel prognostic biomarker.

Emerging role of immunogenic cell death in cancer immunotherapy: Advancing next-generation CAR-T cell immunotherapy by combination

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a stress-driven form of regulated cell death (RCD) in which dying tumor cells' specific signaling pathways are activated to release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), leading to the robust anti-tumor immune response as well as a reversal of the tumor immune microenvironment from "cold" to "hot". Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, as a landmark in anti-tumor immunotherapy, plays a formidable role in hematologic malignancies but falls short in solid tumors. The Gordian knot of CAR-T cells for solid tumors includes but is not limited to, tumor antigen heterogeneity or absence, physical and immune barriers of tumors. The combination of ICD induction therapy and CAR-T cell immunotherapy is expected to promote the intensive use of CAR-T cell in solid tumors. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of ICD, stress-responsive mechanism, and the synergistic effect of various ICD-based therapies with CAR-T cells to effectively improve anti-tumor capacity.

Wilson's Disease-Crossroads of Genetics, Inflammation and Immunity/Autoimmunity: Clinical and Molecular Issues

Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism caused by pathogenic mutations in the ATP7B gene. Cellular copper overload is associated with impaired iron metabolism. Oxidative stress, cuproptosis, and ferroptosis are involved in cell death in WD. The clinical picture of WD is variable. Hepatic/neuropsychiatric/other symptoms may manifest in childhood/adulthood and even old age. It has been shown that phenotypic variability may be determined by the type of ATP7B genetic variants as well as the influence of various genetic/epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle modifiers. In 1976, immunological abnormalities were first described in patients with WD. These included an increase in IgG and IgM levels and a decrease in the percentage of T lymphocytes, as well as a weakening of their bactericidal effect. Over the following years, it was shown that there is a bidirectional relationship between copper and inflammation. Changes in serum cytokine concentrations and the relationship between cytokine gene variants and the clinical course of the disease have been described in WD patients, as well as in animal models of this disease. Data have also been published on the occurrence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies, and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies, as well as various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), myasthenic syndrome, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis (MS), polyarthritis, and psoriasis after treatment with d-penicillamine (DPA). The occurrence of autoantibodies was also described, the presence of which was not related to the type of treatment or the form of the disease (hepatic vs. neuropsychiatric). The mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of autoantibodies in patients with WD are not known. It has also not been clarified whether they have clinical significance. In some patients, WD was differentiated or coexisted with an autoimmune disease, including autoimmune hepatitis or multiple sclerosis. Various molecular mechanisms may be responsible for immunological abnormalities and/or the inflammatory processes in WD. Their better understanding may be important for explaining the reasons for the diversity of symptoms and the varied course and response to therapy, as well as for the development of new treatment regimens for WD.

Development of prognostic model incorporating a ferroptosis/cuproptosis-related signature and mutational landscape analysis in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy. Ferroptosis and cuproptosis are recently discovered forms of programmed cell death (PCD) that have attracted much attention. However, their interactions and impacts on MIBC overall survival (OS) and treatment outcomes remain unclear.

METHODS

Data from the TCGA-BLCA project (as the training set), cBioPortal database, and GEO datasets (GSE13507 and GSE32894, as the test sets) were utilized to identify hub ferroptosis/cuproptosis-related genes (FRGs and CRGs) and develop a prognostic signature. Differential expression analysis (DEA) was conducted, followed by univariate and multivariate Cox's regression analyses and multiple machine learning (ML) techniques to select genetic features. The performance of the ferroptosis/cuproptosis-related signature was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analysis and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Mutational and tumour immune microenvironment landscapes were also explored. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) experiments confirmed the expression patterns of the hub genes, and functional assays assessed the effects of SCD knockdown on cell viability, proliferation, and migration.

RESULTS

DEA revealed dysregulated FRGs and CRGs in the TCGA MIBC cohort. SCD, DDR2, and MT1A were identified as hub genes. A prognostic signature based on the sum of the weighted expression of these genes demonstrated strong predictive efficacy in the training and test sets. Nomogram incorporating this signature accurately predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival probabilities in the TCGA cohort and GSE13507 dataset. Copy number variation (CNV) and tumour immune microenvironment analysis revealed that high risk score level groups were associated with immunosuppression and lower tumour purity. The associations of risk scores with immunotherapy and chemical drugs were also explored, indicating their potential for guiding treatment for MIBC patients. The dysregulated expression patterns of three hub genes were validated by RT-qPCR experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting hub FRGs and CRGs could be a promising therapeutic approach for MIBC. Our prognostic model offers a new framework for MIBC subtyping and can inform personalized therapeutic strategies.

Cuproptosis and Cu: a new paradigm in cellular death and their role in non-cancerous diseases

Cuproptosis, a newly characterized form of regulated cell death driven by copper accumulation, has emerged as a significant mechanism underlying various non-cancerous diseases. This review delves into the complex interplay between copper metabolism and the pathogenesis of conditions such as Wilson's disease (WD), neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular pathologies. We examine the molecular mechanisms by which copper dysregulation induces cuproptosis, highlighting the pivotal roles of key copper transporters and enzymes. Additionally, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of copper chelation strategies, which have shown promise in experimental models by mitigating copper-induced cellular damage and restoring physiological homeostasis. Through a comprehensive synthesis of recent advancements and current knowledge, this review underscores the necessity of further research to translate these findings into clinical applications. The ultimate goal is to harness the therapeutic potential of targeting cuproptosis, thereby improving disease management and patient outcomes in non-cancerous conditions associated with copper dysregulation.

The crosstalk between copper-induced oxidative stress and cuproptosis: a novel potential anticancer paradigm

Copper is a crucial trace element that plays a role in various pathophysiological processes in the human body. Copper also acts as a transition metal involved in redox reactions, contributing to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under prolonged and increased ROS levels, oxidative stress occurs, which has been implicated in different types of regulated cell death. The recent discovery of cuproptosis, a copper-dependent regulated cell death pathway that is distinct from other known regulated cell death forms, has raised interest to researchers in the field of cancer therapy. Herein, the present work aims to outline the current understanding of cuproptosis, with an emphasis on its anticancer activities through the interplay with copper-induced oxidative stress, thereby providing new ideas for therapeutic approaches targeting modes of cell death in the future.

Ferroptosis and cuproptosis: Metal-dependent cell death pathways activated in response to classical chemotherapy - Significance for cancer treatment?

Apoptosis has traditionally been regarded as the desired cell death pathway activated by chemotherapeutic drugs due to its controlled and non-inflammatory nature. However, recent discoveries of alternative cell death pathways have paved the way for immune-stimulatory treatment approaches in cancer. Ferroptosis (dependent on iron) and cuproptosis (dependent on copper) hold promise for selective cancer cell targeting and overcoming drug resistance. Copper ionophores and iron-bearing nano-drugs show potential for clinical therapy as single agents and as adjuvant treatments. Here we review up-to-date evidence for the involvement of metal ion-dependent cell death pathways in the cytotoxicity of classical chemotherapeutic agents (alkylating agents, topoisomerase inhibitors, antimetabolites, and mitotic spindle inhibitors) and their combinations with cuproptosis and ferroptosis inducers, indicating the prospects, advantages, and obstacles of their use.

A Nanorobotics-Based Approach of Breast Cancer in the Nanotechnology Era

We are living in an era of advanced nanoscience and nanotechnology. Numerous nanomaterials, culminating in nanorobots, have demonstrated ingenious applications in biomedicine, including breast cancer (BC) nano-theranostics. To solve the complicated problem of BC heterogeneity, non-targeted drug distribution, invasive diagnostics or surgery, resistance to classic onco-therapies and real-time monitoring of tumors, nanorobots are designed to perform multiple tasks at a small scale, even at the organelles or molecular level. Over the last few years, most nanorobots have been bioengineered as biomimetic and biocompatible nano(bio)structures, resembling different organisms and cells, such as urchin, spider, octopus, fish, spermatozoon, flagellar bacterium or helicoidal cyanobacterium. In this review, readers will be able to deepen their knowledge of the structure, behavior and role of several types of nanorobots, among other nanomaterials, in BC theranostics. We summarized here the characteristics of many functionalized nanodevices designed to counteract the main neoplastic hallmark features of BC, from sustaining proliferation and evading anti-growth signaling and resisting programmed cell death to inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion and metastasis, preventing genomic instability, avoiding immune destruction and deregulating autophagy. Most of these nanorobots function as targeted and self-propelled smart nano-carriers or nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDSs), enhancing the efficiency and safety of chemo-, radio- or photodynamic therapy, or the current imagistic techniques used in BC diagnosis. Most of these nanorobots have been tested in vitro, using various BC cell lines, as well as in vivo, mainly based on mice models. We are still waiting for nanorobots that are low-cost, as well as for a wider transition of these favorable effects from laboratory to clinical practice.

Cuproptosis: unveiling a new frontier in cancer biology and therapeutics

Copper plays vital roles in numerous cellular processes and its imbalance can lead to oxidative stress and dysfunction. Recent research has unveiled a unique form of copper-induced cell death, termed cuproptosis, which differs from known cell death mechanisms. This process involves the interaction of copper with lipoylated tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes, causing protein aggregation and cell death. Recently, a growing number of studies have explored the link between cuproptosis and cancer development. This review comprehensively examines the systemic and cellular metabolism of copper, including tumor-related signaling pathways influenced by copper. It delves into the discovery and mechanisms of cuproptosis and its connection to various cancers. Additionally, the review suggests potential cancer treatments using copper ionophores that induce cuproptosis, in combination with small molecule drugs, for precision therapy in specific cancer types.