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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: March 17, 2023
Nanotherapeutic approaches to target mitochondria in cancer
Shalini Mani1, Geeta Swargiary1, Sakshi Tyagi1
1Centre for Emerging Diseases, Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, A-10, Sector 62, Noida, UP 201301, India.
Abstract:
Treatment of cancer cells exemplifies a difficult test in the light of challenges associated with the nature of cancer cells and the severe side effects too. After making a large number of trials using both traditional and advanced therapies (immunotherapy and hormone therapy), approaches to design new therapies have reached a saturation level. However, nanotechnology-based approaches exhibit higher efficacy and great potential to bypass many of such therapeutic limitations. Because of their higher target specificity, the use of nanoparticles offers incredible potential in cancer therapeutics. Mitochondria, acting as a factory of energy production in cells, reveal an important role in the death as well as the survival of cells. Because of its significant involvement in the proliferation of cancer cells, it is being regarded as an important target for cancer therapeutics. Numerous studies reveal that nanotechnology-based approaches to directly target the mitochondria may help in improving the survival rate of cancer patients. In the current study, we have detailed the significance of mitochondria in the development of cancer phenotype, as well as indicated it as the potential targets for cancer therapy. Our study further highlights the importance of different nanoparticle-based approaches to target mitochondria of cancer cells and the associated outcomes of different studies. Though, nanotechnology-based approaches to target mitochondria of cancer cells demonstrate a potential and efficient way in cancer therapeutics. Yet, further study is needed to overcome the linked limitations.
Insights
Nanotechnology offers a promising approach to cancer treatment by targeting mitochondria, the energy producers crucial for cancer cell survival. This strategy enhances therapeutic efficacy and specificity, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cancer treatment faces challenges due to cancer cell complexity and severe side effects of traditional therapies.
- Conventional treatments like immunotherapy and hormone therapy show diminishing returns, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Nanotechnology presents a promising avenue for cancer therapeutics due to its high target specificity and potential to overcome existing limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the critical role of mitochondria in cancer development and progression.
- To highlight mitochondria as a key target for innovative cancer therapies.
- To review and analyze nanoparticle-based strategies for targeting cancer cell mitochondria.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nanotechnology applications in cancer therapy.
- Analysis of studies focusing on mitochondria as a therapeutic target in cancer.
- Evaluation of various nanoparticle-based approaches for mitochondrial targeting in cancer cells.
Main Results:
- Mitochondria play a significant role in cancer cell proliferation and survival, making them a viable therapeutic target.
- Nanoparticle-based strategies demonstrate high efficacy in targeting cancer cell mitochondria.
- Targeting mitochondria with nanoparticles shows potential for improving cancer patient survival rates.
Conclusions:
- Nanotechnology-based approaches targeting mitochondria represent a potent and efficient strategy in cancer therapeutics.
- Further research is essential to address and overcome the limitations associated with these advanced therapies.
- Mitochondrial-targeted nanomedicine holds significant promise for the future of cancer treatment.
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