Fucoxanthin induces ferroptosis in human hypopharyngeal cancer cells

Hypopharyngeal carcinoma, a prevalent head and neck tumor, is associated with high mortality and poor prognosis due to its challenging location. Fucoxanthin, a unique carotenoid derived from brown algae, has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity. Ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death regulated by glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), is characterized by excessive lipid peroxide (LPO) accumulation. Through transcriptome analysis and in vitro experiments, this research was aimed to study that fucoxanthin triggers ferroptosis in human hypopharyngeal carcinoma cells.