Iron:An emerging factor in colorectal carcinogenesis

The carcinogenic potential of iron in colorectal cancer(CRC) is not fully understood.Iron is able to undergo reduction and oxidation,making it important in many physiological processes.This inherent redox property of iron,however,also renders it toxic when it is present in excess.Iron-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species via the Fenton reaction,if uncontrolled,may lead to cell damage as a result of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA and protein damage.This may promote carcinogenesis through incr...