Work

Mitochondrial metabolism: A moving target in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Mitochondria are pivotal contributors to cancer mechanisms due to their homeostatic and pathological roles in cellular bioenergetics, biosynthesis, metabolism, signaling, and survival. During transformation and tumor initiation, mitochondrial function is often disrupted by oncogenic mutations, leading to a metabolic profile distinct from precursor cells. In this review, we focus on hepatocellular carcinoma, a cancer arising from metabolically robust and nutrient rich hepatocytes, and discuss the mechanistic impact of altered metabolism in this setting. We provide distinctions between normal mitochondrial activity versus disease-related function which yielded therapeutic opportunities, along with highlighting recent preclinical and clinical efforts focused on targeting mitochondrial metabolism. Finally, several novel strategies for exploiting mitochondrial programs to eliminate hepatocellular carcinoma cells in metabolism-specific contexts are presented to integrate these concepts and gain foresight into the future of mitochondria-focused therapeutics.

Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology

DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31441

Authors: Monika Komza, Jerry Edward Chipuk

Institutions: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Language: English

Topic: Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute