Iron chelation: deciphering novel molecular targets for cancer therapy. The tip of the iceberg of a web of iron-regulated molecules.

The response of cells to cellular iron depletion is complex with multiple molecules and signaling pathways being involved. Indeed, this is far broader than just the effect on the classical target, ribonucleotide reductase. It is likely that a network of interactions exists between the molecular players and that the relationships currently known only represent the ‘tip of an iceberg’ in terms of understanding the response of cells to iron deprivation. This article describes some of the research being undertaken in this area by the Richardson group at the University of Sydney, Australia [corrected].