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Updated: Oct 16, 2025
08:15
Understanding the Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology through Dynamic and Three-dimensional Fluorescence Micrographs
Published on: August 15, 2025
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Mitochondrial dynamics regulators: implications for therapeutic intervention in cancer
Sanjay Kumar1, Rahail Ashraf2, Aparna C K2
1Division of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Karkambadi Road, Rami Reddy Nagar, Mangalam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517507, India. sanjay@iisertirupati.ac.in.
Cell Biology and Toxicology
|October 18, 2021
Summary
Mitochondrial dynamics, crucial for cell function, are imbalanced in cancer, driving tumorigenesis. Targeting these dynamics offers a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading global cause of death despite therapeutic advances.
- Mitochondria, through fusion and fission, maintain cellular homeostasis.
- Mitochondrial dynamics are essential for regulating energy metabolism, cell cycle, and apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics in cancer progression.
- To explore the clinical significance of mitochondrial dynamics regulators in various cancer types.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential and biomarker utility of targeting mitochondrial dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on mitochondrial dynamics and cancer.
- Analysis of the role of mitochondrial dynamics regulators in tumorigenesis.
- Examination of clinical data linking mitochondrial dynamics to cancer stemness and chemoresistance.
Main Results:
- Imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and cancer progression.
- Alterations in mitochondrial dynamics are implicated in cancer stemness and chemoresistance.
- Mitochondrial dynamics regulators show potential as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Targeting mitochondrial dynamics presents a viable therapeutic strategy for cancer.
- Understanding mitochondrial dynamics is crucial for developing novel cancer treatments.
- Mitochondrial dynamics regulators may serve as predictive biomarkers for cancer therapy response.
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