Cancer might evade immune defences by stealing mitochondria

A groundbreaking study published this week in the journal Cell reveals a startling strategy employed by cancer cells to evade the body's immune defences. Researchers have discovered that cancer cells are capable of stealing mitochondria from immune cells, which are crucial for energy production and cellular functions. This theft allows cancer cells to enhance their own energy supplies, facilitating their spread throughout the body while simultaneously escaping detection by the immune system. The study's findings shed light on the intricate mechanisms that cancer cells use to sustain their growth and survival. By appropriating mitochondria, cancer cells not only bolster their energy reserves but also potentially alter their metabolic processes to become more resilient against immune attacks. This mitochondrial hijacking might be a key factor in the ability of cancer to metastasize, making it harder for treatments to effectively target and eliminate the malignancy. Understanding this process opens new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions. By targeting the mechanisms that enable mitochondrial theft, researchers hope to develop strategies that can disrupt this energy supply chain, thereby weakening cancer cells and making them more susceptible to existing treatments. As scientists continue to unravel the complexities of cancer biology, these insights could pave the way for more effective and targeted therapies in the fight against cancer.

— Authored by Next24 Live