Büşra ERKAN, Andrew R GREEN
İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu Dergisi - 2026;14(2):251-258
In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of iron in ER+/HER2- tissues using Prussian blue histochemical staining combined with digital pathology analysis. Whole-slide image evaluation revealed marked intratumoural heterogeneity in iron deposition, with focal iron-rich and iron-poor regions frequently observed within the same tumour. In addition, iron accumulation was often detected in peritumoural areas, suggesting a contributory role of the tumour microenvironment in local iron remodelling. Although Prussian blue staining detects ferric iron and does not directly measure ferroptosis, the presence of iron-rich niches may indicate regions with increased vulnerability to iron-dependent oxidative stress. These findings highlight iron dysregulation as a potential contributor to breast cancer heterogeneity and support further investigation ofinto ferroptosis-related pathways in tissue-based studies.
