Scientists May Have Discovered 'Self-Destruct' Switch In Lung Cancer By Targeting FSP1 Protein

Researchers have uncovered a powerful and exploitable vulnerability in lung cancer , identifying a novel mechanism that, when shut down, forces stubborn tumour cells into a self-destruct mode. The groundbreaking work centres on a specific protein, Ferroptosis Suppressor Protein 1 (FSP1), which cancer cells rely on to shield themselves from cellular stress. This finding points towards a promising new strategy for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), one of the most common and difficult-to-treat malignancies globally.

The study, published in the journal Nature, demonstrated that FSP1 acts as a critical defence mechanism against ferroptosis —a newly recognised form of regulated cell death characterised by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Cancer cells, especially those in fast-g