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Open Access Review Issue
Current status of traditional Chinese medicine in modulating mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities in tumors
Cancer Biology & Medicine 2025, 22(12): 1439-1454
Published: 23 September 2025
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Tumor cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to adapt to rapid proliferation and harsh microenvironments, as evidenced by aerobic glycolysis. Mitochondria serve as key coordinators of this process. Under internal and environmental stress in tumors, mitochondria reprogram metabolism by balancing energy dynamics, redirecting metabolic routes, communicating via metabolites, and preserving the quality of mitochondria, thus supporting tumor cell survival. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a key role in modulating mitochondrial reprogramming in tumor cells, possibly disrupting metabolic pathways that are necessary for survival and proliferation. However, the underlying molecular signaling and cellular biological mechanisms need to be elucidated. In this review, we focused on the Key functions of mitochondria in adapting to tumor metabolic reprogramming are the focus of this review and recent advances in and regulatory mechanisms of TCM and nano-pharmaceutical formulations in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis are discussed. These insights may help understand the role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, such as cancer, and identify therapeutic targets.

Open Access Original Article Issue
Mitochondrial transplantation sensitizes chemotherapy to inhibit tumor development by enhancing anti-tumor immunity
Cancer Biology & Medicine 2025, 22(6): 648-671
Published: 19 June 2025
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Objective

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chemotherapy is associated with side effects, such as damage to myeloid cells and a reduction in the number of immune cells in patients. In addition, tumor cells hijack the mitochondria of immune cells through tunnel nanotubes, thereby weakening immune ability.

Methods

In this study the effects of direct mitochondria transplantation on cancer cell proliferation and chemotherapeutic sensitivity were determined, as well as anti-tumor immunity in in vitro and in vivo lung cancer models.

Results

A combination of mitochondrial transplantation and cisplatin chemotherapy was shown for the first time to significantly improve immune infiltration of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and overcome the shortcomings of cisplatin chemotherapy, including damage to myeloid cells and a reduction in the number of immune cells.

Conclusions

The findings of the current study provide valuable recommendations for enhancing immune infiltration and augmenting anti-tumor efficacy during chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. In addition, the findings support “mitochondrial transfer” as a novel paradigm in tumor treatment.

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