High plasma ferritin levels block the circulation of iron from intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages (which contribute to anemia in patients with cancer) and may lead to the accumulation of iron in tumor cells through the degradation of ferroportin (FPN1), resulting in the activation of signaling pathways, such as Wnt (8) and NF-κB (9), which contribute to tumor progression. The gene discussed is SLC40A1; the disease is neoplasm.