Targeting mitochondrial homeostasis as a cancer treatment strategy: current status and future prospects.

Authors

Honglin Zhong, Renjie Pan, Yuzhen Ouyang, Tengfei Xiao, Wangning Gu, Hongmin Yang, Hui Wang, Hucheng Li, Tianfang Peng, Pan Chen

Published in

Molecular cancer. Volume 25. Issue 1. Pages 38. Jan 27, 2026. Epub Jan 27, 2026.

Abstract

Mitochondria are central to health and disease by precisely regulating metabolism and interacting closely with other organelles. Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the initiation and development of numerous diseases, including cancer. In cancer cells, metabolic reprogramming, impaired mitochondrial quality control, and mitochondrial DNA damage are linked to tumor initiation, development, and metastasis. Dysregulated mitochondrial function in cells within the tumor microenvironment, such as CD8 + T cells, also promotes cancer progression. Therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondria range from dietary interventions to small-molecule drugs aimed at restoring mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we summarize the relationships between mitochondrial dysfunction and cancer from the perspectives of metabolism, quality control, mitochondrial DNA stability, ion homeostasis, and the tumor microenvironment. We also provide updates on mitochondria-targeted therapies, highlighting key translational gaps from bench to bedside. Finally, we discuss future directions for mitochondria-targeted cancer therapy, emphasizing mitochondrial homeostasis as a critical target for improving therapeutic outcomes.

PMID:
41593460
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Oct 2026.

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