About this Research Topic

Background

In recent years, mitochondria have become important pharmacological targets due to their crucial roles in cell proliferation, programmed death, and immune microenvironment. The functional integrity and morphology of mitochondria are closely related to the tumor immune microenvironment, tumor escape, and drug resistance. Early studies have found that the Warburg Effect suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction often accompanies tumor progression. In malignant tumors, mitochondrial energy pathways are often reprogrammed to respond to high energy demands. Many studies have shown that inhibitors targeting mitochondria have great potential in tumor therapy, including targeting mitochondrial metabolic function, mitochondrial dynamics, and morphogenesis (such as fission/fusion dynamics). In addition, the latest research has found that changes in mitochondrial DNA copy number, mutations, and defects in respiratory chain complexes can trigger mitochondria-to-nucleus retrograde signaling, which can initiate metabolic reprogramming by altering nuclear gene expression. Therefore, mitochondria are of great significance for developing precise targeted therapies for different tumors.

Tumors are malignant diseases characterized by high invasiveness, heterogeneity, and metabolic abnormalities. Although mitochondrial inhibitors have been proven to regulate the tumor microenvironment, clinical trials have not shown significant benefits. Due to the serious consequences of using inhibitors alone, people have begun to explore the synergistic effects of mitochondrial inhibitors and immunotherapy. In addition, some emerging therapeutic directions, such as mitochondrial transplantation, also face significant challenges. At present, the rapid development of transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing has also provided a broader perspective for further elucidating the role of mitochondria in tumors and developing new mitochondrial-targeted drugs.

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date set of research articles, reviews, and viewpoints, to explore the role of mitochondrial function in tumor progression and develop new therapies targeting mitochondria. We invite researchers working in the following fields to contribute:
1. Revealing the role of mitochondrial function in tumor progression and metabolic abnormalities
2. Developing novel drugs, inhibitors, and new therapies targeting mitochondria in tumors.
3. Identifying different tumor subtypes related to mitochondrial function
4. Synergistic use of mitochondrial inhibitors with other inhibitors to enhance anti-tumor efficacy
5. The role of targeted mitochondrial transplantation in personalized tumor therapy
6. Assessing the role of mitochondria in different tumor cells

Submission Guidelines:
We welcome original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and opinion pieces related to the above topics. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review, and selected articles will be published in the Research Topic. Please follow the standard Frontiers submission guidelines for manuscript preparation and submission.

Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases that are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.

Keywords: Mitochondrial, Targeted Mitochondrial Drugs, Cancer, Tumor Progression

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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