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Metastasis gets a little help from immune cell mitochondria

Michael V Berridge1, Renata Zobalova2, Jiri Neuzil3

  • 1Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand.

Cell Metabolism
|February 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial transfer from immune cells to cancer cells aids tumor metastasis. This process involves the cGAS/STING immune evasion pathway and type I interferon, clarifying metastasis mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Mitochondrial transfer's role in cancer metastasis is suggested but poorly understood.
  • Mechanisms driving metastasis remain a key area of cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of mitochondrial transfer in cancer metastasis.
  • To investigate the role of immune cells and specific pathways in this process.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mouse metastatic models.
  • Analyzed mitochondrial transfer between immune cells and cancer cells.
  • Investigated the cGAS/STING pathway and type I interferon signaling.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated mitochondrial transfer from non-cancer immune cells to cancer cells within tumors.
  • Showed this transfer facilitates lymph node metastasis.
  • Linked the process to the cGAS/STING immune evasion pathway and type I interferon.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial transfer is a mechanism facilitating cancer metastasis.
  • The cGAS/STING pathway and type I interferon are involved in immune evasion during metastasis.
  • Findings provide new insights into cancer cell-immune cell interactions in metastasis.

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