Journal Article (Review Article)

DKFZ-2026-02106

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Mitochondria as central regulators of cancer progression and antitumor immunity.

Gomez-Duran, A. ; Martínez-Reyes, I.DKFZ*

2026
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

Abstract: Mitochondria coordinate metabolic and signaling pathways that influence cancer progression across multiple stages of the disease. Beyond supporting tumor growth, mitochondria contribute to metastatic dissemination and shape interactions between tumor and immune cells through diverse outputs, including metabolite production, redox regulation, and mitochondrial genome dynamics. In this review, we discuss how mitochondrial functions sustain cancer cell proliferation, regulate pathways that facilitate metastatic progression, and influence antitumor immunity. We further highlight emerging roles for mitochondrial DNA variation, intercellular mitochondrial transfer, and mitochondrial dysfunction in immune cell exhaustion and senescence. Finally, we discuss how these advances are revealing therapeutic opportunities to target mitochondrial pathways and enhance the efficacy of current cancer immunotherapies.

Keyword(s): antitumor immunity ; cancer metabolism ; metastasis ; mitochondria ; mitochondrial genetics

Note: #DKTKZFB26# / epub

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DKTK Koordinierungsstelle Berlin (BE01)
2. DKTK Metabolic networks in tumor immunity (BE05)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; BIOSIS Reviews Reports And Meetings ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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