Targeting Mitochondria in Fighting Cancer

Vladimir      Gogvadze

Abstract

During the last years, there have been a number of reports that prove involvement of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of variety of disorders including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Alteration of vital mitochondrial functions - production of ATP, calcium buffering capacity, abnormal production of reactive oxygen species, can be potentially responsible for pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Involvement of mitochondria in various types of cell death makes them attractive targets for tumor cell elimination. This review describes the role of mitochondria in tumor cells and how targeting of mitochondria can be used as a tool in fighting cancer.

Keywords: Cancer, apoptosis, necrosis, mitochondria, calcium, permeability transition, Bcl-2, reactive oxygen species, tumor cell, glycolysis