Research progress on the regulation of iron metabolism in myelodysplastic diseases

doi:10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20251106-00090

Abstract

Abstract:

Both myelodysplastic syndromes and Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms are clonal myeloid disorders originating from hematopoietic stem cells，classified under myelo-proliferative and myelodysplastic diseases. They exhibit considerable heterogeneity and are primarily characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and an elevated risk of leukemic transformation. Dysregulated iron metabolism contributes to disease progression through multiple mechanisms. In myelodysplastic syndromes，iron overload leads to increased reactive oxygen species，elevation of apoptotic protease-activating factor 1，and elevated growth differentiation factor 11 levels，thereby suppressing the proliferation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and augmenting the risk of leukemic transformation. Furthermore，iron metabolism dysregulation exacerbates disease progression in polycythemia vera patients by aberrantly activating STAT5 signaling during erythropoiesis，and adversely affects the prognosis of those with essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis. A thorough investigation into the mechanisms of iron homeostasis imbalance in myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases provides a critical foundation for the subsequent development of targeted and precise therapeutic strategies for iron metabolism.

Key words: Myelodysplastic syndromes, Myelodysplastic-myeloproliferative diseases, Iron metabolism disorders, Therapy

Jiang Jinxia, Zhang Xuezhong, Yang Feifei. Research progress on the regulation of iron metabolism in myelodysplastic diseases[J]. Journal of International Oncology, 2026, 53(9): 566-571.

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