The contribution of nutritional factors to disease development has been demonstrated for several chronic conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and about 30 percent of cancers. Nutrients include macronutrients and micronutrients, which are required in large and trace quantities, respectively. Macronutrients, which include protein, carbohydrates, and lipids, are mainly involved in energy production and biomolecule synthesis; micronutrients include vitamins and minerals, which are mainly involved in immune functions, enzymatic reactions, blood clotting, and gene transcription. Among the numerous micronutrients potentially involved in disease development, the present review will focus on iron and its relation to tumor development. Recent advances in the understanding of iron-related proteins accumulating in the tumor microenvironment shed light on the pivotal role of iron availability in sustaining pathological tumor hallmarks, including cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Keywords: colorectal cancer; intestinal microbiota; iron metabolism.