HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of heme to produce biliverdin, carbon monoxide, and free iron, playing a central role in cellular iron homeostasis and ferroptosis regulation. The enzyme exhibits dual and context-dependent roles in ferroptosis: it can promote ferroptosis by increasing intracellular Fe2+ levels through heme degradation 123, while also contributing to ferroptosis resistance in certain cellular contexts 4. HMOX1 expression is tightly regulated through multiple mechanisms, including transcriptional control by factors like IFI16 4, epigenetic modifications 5, and post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination 3. The enzyme's activity is critical in various pathological conditions, including cancer radioresistance 4, hepatocellular carcinoma treatment response 1, and diabetic complications 67. HMOX1 also plays important roles in immune regulation, particularly in cancer-associated fibroblasts where it drives immunosuppression through iron-dependent mechanisms 5. The complex regulation and diverse functional roles of HMOX1 make it an important therapeutic target across multiple diseases, particularly in cancer therapy and metabolic disorders.