GPX4 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: This study reveals that ferroptosis, characterized by phospholipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, plays a significant role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis, as demonstrated by increased lipid peroxidation and non-apoptotic cell death in cigarette smoke-exposed lung epithelial cells, with GPx4 regulation being crucial in this process.