Several factors contribute to the dysregulation of hepcidin in cancer:
Inflammatory cytokines: Cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) are known to upregulate hepcidin expression. Elevated levels of these cytokines are common in various types of cancer. Hypoxia: Tumor microenvironments are often hypoxic, and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) can suppress hepcidin transcription, increasing iron availability to tumor cells. Genetic alterations: Mutations in genes involved in hepcidin regulation, such as HFE, TFR2, and HAMP, may also contribute to its dysregulation in cancer patients.
