Advances in research on STEAP3 in malignant tumors

Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate 3 (STEAP3) is a six-pass transmembrane protein that plays a pivotal role in regulating intracellular iron and copper metabolism and maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. In recent years, the abnormal expression of STEAP3 in various malignancies has attracted widespread attention. Studies suggest that STEAP3 can influence tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and anti-apoptotic capabilities by regulating metal metabolism, while also playing an important role in tumor drug resistance and immune-related processes. Recent research has linked STEAP3 to ferroptosis and multiple signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin and p53/xCT, as well as interactions with non-coding RNAs. Specifically, STEAP3 exhibits complex expression patterns in colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, glioma, breast cancer, and is closely associated with poor prognosis. These findings suggest that STEAP3 could serve as a potential biomarker and a candidate for further therapeutic investigation. This review summarizes the expression and mechanistic roles of STEAP3 in various malignancies, delving into its functions in tumor metabolism, signal transduction, and immune regulation, with the aim of providing new theoretical insights and strategies for molecular targeted therapy and precision medicine.