Unlocking the potential of mitochondrial transplantation: overcoming challenges and paving the way for routine...

Mitochondrial medicine has shown great promise as a therapeutic approach for treating currently incurable diseases. Preclinical studies highlight its safety and efficacy, but significant challenges remain in translating these therapies from bench to bedside. Key unresolved issues include understanding the mechanisms behind the reparative potential of transplanted mitochondria, such as their viability and functionality in an extracellular environment, especially under elevated calcium ion concentrations. Additionally, challenges related to mitochondrial sourcing, delivery methods, and ethical considerations need to be addressed for broader clinical adoption. This review analyses these challenges and explores strategies to overcome them, including refining mitochondrial sourcing, delivery techniques, and storage solutions. We also emphasise the need for rigorous ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and global implementation, paving the way for mitochondrial medicine's broader clinical use.