Targeted Anti-mitochondrial Therapy: The Future of Oncology

Abstract

Like living organisms, cancer cells require energy to survive and interact with their environment. Mitochondria are the main organelles for energy production and cellular metabolism. Recently, investigators demonstrated that cancer cells can hijack mitochondria from immune cells. This behavior sheds light on a pivotal piece in the cancer puzzle, the ‘dependence’ on the normal cells. This article illustrates the benefits of new, functional mitochondria for cancer cells that urge them to hijack mitochondria. It describes how functional mitochondria help cancer cells’ survival in the harsh tumor microenvironment, immune evasion, progression, and treatment resistance. Recent evidence has put forward the pivotal role of mitochondria in cancer stem cells’ metabolism. This theory highlights the mitochondria in cancer biology and explains how targeted anti-mitochondrial treatments can improve oncological outcomes.

Igniting Hope for Tumor Immunotherapy: Promoting the “Hot and Cold” Tumor Transition

“… 150 Moreover, mitochondrial quality was shown to be partly improved by regular exercise, adequate sleep, healthy weight, a low SDA (specific dynamic action) diet, and smoking cessation. 151 Increasing mitochondrial levels within T cells may restore antitumor immune activity for a TME that is highly immunosuppressed by cold tumors and improve the efficacy of PD-1 antibodies.…”

An In Vitro Approach for Investigating the Safety of Lipotransfer after Breast-Conserving Therapy

“…However, it has also an effect on the surrounding tissue. There is evidence that the microenvironment contributes to the initiation, proliferation, and metastasis of a tumor [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Thereby, fibroblasts, the predominant cellular component of the tumor microenvironment, play a decisive role.…”