The iron component of particulate matter is antiapoptotic: A clue to the development of lung cancer after exposure to atmospheric pollutants?

Our results suggest that the iron component participates in the antiapoptotic effect of PM by activating a NRF2-dependent antioxidant process. As resisting to cell death is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells, these findings provide additional clues for understanding the development of lung cancer after atmospheric pollution exposure.