Cancer Cells Export Mitochondria to Reprogram Neighboring Cells

A new study published in Nature Cancer has revealed that cancer cells can actively export mitochondria to nearby healthy cells, offering fresh insights into how the tumor microenvironment develops.

While earlier research showed that tumors could steal mitochondria from surrounding cells, the latest evidence demonstrates that mitochondrial transfer is a two-way process. Researchers at ETH Zurich observed this phenomenon for the first time, watching mitochondria move from cancer cells into fibroblasts through tunneling nanotubes.

These transferred mitochondria had a profound impact on recipient cells. Within 24 hours, fibroblasts that received cancer-cell mitochondria displayed accelerated proliferation and increased activity of cancer-related genes. In animal models, these reprogrammed fibroblasts significantly boosted tumor growth.

At the molecular level, the protein MIRO2 was identified as essential for this transfer. MIRO2 directs mitochondria to the cell's edge, enabling their transport through nanotubes. Genetic experiments confirmed that cancer cells lacking MIRO2 were unable to transmit mitochondria.

Although mitochondrial transfer remains an emerging field, experts emphasize that its validity is now firmly established. Key questions about the underlying drivers and triggers remain open for future research.

These findings not only shed light on a novel mechanism of tumor microenvironment formation but also point to potential therapeutic strategies that target intercellular communication in cancer.