Ferroptosis targeting: a novel therapeutic armamentarium in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM), a hematological malignancy characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation, remains incurable because of its pervasive resistance to therapy. Consequently, promising therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to improve treatment responses and long-term outcomes in patients with MM. Emerging preclinical evidence indicates that ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by lipid peroxidation and iron dysregulation, may suppress the progression of MM. Several compounds have demonstrated efficacy in eliminating MM cells through ferroptosis induction. In this review, we summarize the core molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis, focusing on its role in MM pathogenesis and the regulatory networks modulating it within the MM microenvironment. We systematically review various ferroptosis-inducing compounds and their documented therapeutic effects in experimental models of MM. This study underscores the translational potential of pharmacological ferroptosis induction as a promising therapeutic strategy for MM.