Metal ions and colorectal cancer: unlocking the secrets of tumour cell death

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prevalent and fatal malignancy worldwide. Despite advancements in early screening techniques and treatments, the prognosis for patients remains suboptimal. Studies have shown that metal ions play crucial roles in the occurrence, progression, and treatment of CRC. Regulating the concentrations of specific metal ions within tumour cells can promote cancer cell death and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. This article reviews the relationships between metal ions such as iron, copper, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc and CRC, summarising recent research progress from mechanistic studies to clinical applications. Magnesium ions inhibit CRC development and metastasis by regulating various signalling pathways can either promote or inhibit tumour-associated gene expression. Therefore, modulating the concentrations of relevant metal ions within tumour cells could be a potential therapeutic direction for CRC, providing new theoretical foundations and strategies for clinical treatment.