Exploiting ferroptosis-based strategies in cancers of the adrenal (B20)

• Subject Area: Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism ; Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Husbandry
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 314061271

Adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) and neuroblastoma (NB) are highly sensitive to ferroptosis due to their dependency on selenium for selenoprotein synthesis. Through a CRISPR screen, we identified SLC26A6 as a key transporter for inorganic selenium uptake, essential for ferroptosis resistance. Further, we developed a selective inhibitor of SLC26A6 (A6i), sensitizing cancer cells to ferroptosis. Our proposed work will evaluate the role of SLC26A6 in ACC/NB, optimize A6i, and test its therapeutic potential in in vitro and preclinical models. These findings position SLC26A6 as a promising target to exploit selenium metabolism and redox vulnerabilities in cancer.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 205: The Adrenal: Central Relay in Health and Disease
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Project Heads: Hamed Alborzinia, Ph.D., since 1/2026; Professor Dr. José Pedro Friedmann Angeli, since 7/2021; Dr. Carmina Teresa Fuß, since 1/2026; Professor Matthias Kroiß, Ph.D., from 7/2021 until 12/2025; Dr. Isabel Weigand, from 7/2021 until 12/2025