The Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer and Diseases and Therapeutic Explorations
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 3335
Special Issue Editors
Interests: cancer; metabolism; metabolic reprogramming; mitochondrial carriers; skeletal muscle; cardiovascular diseases
Interests: cancer stem cells; epigenetics; cell signaling; transcriptional regulation; post-translation modifications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell, play a fundamental role in cellular energy metabolism, apoptosis, and redox homeostasis. Beyond their classical bioenergetic functions, mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, and signalling have been increasingly recognized as critical factors in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, as well as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. This Special Issue welcomes contributions relating to mitochondrial research including, but not limited to, the following:
- Role of mitochondria in metabolic reprogramming in cancer progression;
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and cancer development;
- Mitochondrial role in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases;
- Mitochondrial dynamics (fusion, fission, and mitophagy) in neurodegeneration;
- Mitophagy and autophagy in health and disease;
- Role of mitochondrial fission and fusion in cellular homeostasis;
- Role of mitochondrial ROS in signaling and pathology;
- mtDNA mutations in inherited and acquired diseases;
- Mitochondrial–nuclear crosstalk and epigenetic regulation;
- Mitochondrial role in immune cell activation and inflammation;
- Mitochondrial dysfunction in autoimmune diseases;
- Mitochondria-driven inflammation in cancer and chronic diseases;
- Mitochondria-targeted drugs and precision medicine;
- Mitochondria in aging and longevity;
- Mitochondrial decline as a driver of aging;
- Caloric restriction, exercise, and their impact on mitochondrial health.
This Special Issue explores the intricate role of mitochondria in disease progression, with a focus on cancers and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. It brings together cutting-edge research on targeting mitochondrial pathways for novel treatments, including mitochondrial-directed drugs, metabolic inhibitors, and gene-editing approaches.
Dr. Amer Ahmed
Dr. Barbara Illi
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- cancer metabolism
- mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations
- oxidative stress
- mitophagy and autophagy
- mitochondria-targeted therapy
- metabolic reprograming
- mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission)
- redox biology
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