Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:49
Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: March 17, 2023
Imbalances of mitochondrial dynamics in solid tumors
Carmen Roskam1,2, H Rebecca K Roessler1,2,3, Jan Paul Medema1,2,3
1Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Amsterdam UMC and University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Oncogenesis
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Mitochondrial dynamics, including fission and fusion, are dysregulated in cancer, impacting tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Targeting these imbalances in mitochondrial dynamics offers a promising therapeutic strategy for solid tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mitochondrial dynamics involve the opposing processes of fission and fusion, crucial for maintaining cellular health.
- In cancer, these dynamics are frequently imbalanced, leading to either excessive fission or fusion.
- These imbalances significantly influence tumorigenesis and tumor progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual roles of imbalanced mitochondrial fission and fusion in cancer.
- To explore how these dynamics regulate metabolic reprogramming, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
- To highlight mitochondrial dynamics as a potential therapeutic target in solid tumors.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating mitochondrial dynamics in cancer.
- Analysis of the impact of excessive fission versus excessive fusion on cancer hallmarks.
- Examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.
Main Results:
- Excessive fission promotes aerobic glycolysis, invasion, metastasis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
- Excessive fusion supports oxidative phosphorylation and glutaminolysis.
- Both imbalanced fission and fusion contribute to apoptosis inhibition, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and autophagy activation, promoting tumor survival and therapy resistance.
Conclusions:
- Dysregulated mitochondrial fission and fusion are critical drivers of tumorigenesis.
- Targeting mitochondrial dynamics presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
- Understanding these complex processes is key to developing novel anti-cancer strategies.
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