Given their central role in cancer cell metabolism, survival, and metastasis, mitochondria are attractive targets for cancer therapy. Various strategies are being explored to target mitochondrial function in cancer cells. These include the use of drugs that disrupt mitochondrial respiration, induce mitochondrial ROS production, or inhibit mitochondrial biogenesis. Additionally, targeting mitochondrial dynamics and apoptosis pathways holds promise for developing novel cancer treatments. However, specificity and minimizing toxicity to normal cells remain significant challenges in mitochondrial-targeted therapies.
