When heme is low, copper kills cancer.

Linkermann, Andreas · Cell · 2026

editorial · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Heme carries oxygen and is critical for the control of redox reactions. In this issue of Cell, Lewis and Gruber et al. demonstrate how low concentrations of heme destabilize complex IV of the respiratory chain to release copper and kill acute myeloid leukemia cells by cuproptosis.

Medical subject headings