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Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: March 17, 2023
The Role of Mitochondrial Genome Stability and Metabolic Plasticity in Thyroid Cancer
Lingyu Ren1,2, Wei Liu1, Jiaojiao Zheng1
1Department of Thyroid & Breast Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Abstract:
Mitochondria play a central role in energy metabolism, redox homeostasis, and signal transduction in the thyroid cells. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, copy number variations, and haplogroup-specific polymorphisms are closely associated with metabolic reprogramming and malignant progression of thyroid cancer. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of the impact of mitochondrial genome instability and metabolic plasticity on thyroid tumorigenesis. We discuss how mtDNA alterations disrupt oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), trigger adaptive metabolic rewiring, and interact with key oncogenic pathways, such as HIF-1α, BRAFV600E mutations, and TSHR signaling in thyroid cancer. We also highlight the emerging diagnostic and therapeutic potential of mtDNA in thyroid cancer and outline current challenges and future research directions. Gaining deeper insights into the mitochondria-metabolism axis may provide novel biomarkers and metabolic intervention strategies for precision medicine in thyroid oncology.
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