Targeting mitochondria metabolism for cancer therapy

Abstract

Understanding how tumor cells utilize metabolic pathways for proliferation may provide useful strategies for combating cancer. A Perspective discusses recent advances in cancer drug development that target specific aspects of mitochondrial biosynthesis and bioenergetics processes. Mitochondria have a well-recognized role in the production of ATP and the intermediates needed for macromolecule biosynthesis, such as nucleotides. Mitochondria also participate in the activation of signaling pathways. Overall, accumulating evidence now suggests that mitochondrial bioenergetics, biosynthesis and signaling are required for tumorigenesis. Thus, emerging studies have begun to demonstrate that mitochondrial metabolism is potentially a fruitful arena for cancer therapy. In this Perspective, we highlight recent developments in targeting mitochondrial metabolism for the treatment of cancer.