Researchers have found a way to supercharge lung cancer treatment by transplanting healthy mitochondria into tumors, which boosts immune response and makes chemotherapy far more effective. The new approach combines mitochondrial transplantation with cisplatin, reversing harmful tumor metabolism and empowering immune cells to fight back without added toxicity.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer accounting for 85% of cases. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment, but its effectiveness is limited by toxic side effects and resistance. Moreover, chemotherapy damages immune cells, reducing their presence in the tumor microenvironment and limiting long-term control.
To address these limitations, researchers from Tongji University School of Medicine and Nantong University investigated whether direct mitochondrial transplantation could enhance chemotherapy’s effects in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They found that combining functional mitochondria with cisplatin significantly amplified tumor suppression, reduced the IC50 of cisplatin, and increased immune infiltration.
The researchers isolated healthy mitochondria from human cardiomyocytes and transplanted them into NSCLC tumor models. Alone, mitochondrial transplantation did not harm cancer cells, but when combined with cisplatin, it enhanced tumor suppression. The treatment also restored mitochondrial activity in immune cells, enhancing the function of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells.
This breakthrough discovery introduces a novel approach to lung cancer therapy that leverages mitochondria’s unique biology to augment chemotherapy treatment. With further refinement and clinical trials, mitochondrial transfer could evolve into a versatile platform for combination therapies, helping clinicians push past current limits of cancer care and into a new era of bioenergetic and immune restoration.
The study’s lead investigator said, “This research introduces a powerful dual-action strategy that rearms the immune system while disarming the tumor. It could be a promising avenue for patients who don’t respond well to conventional treatment.”
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803011826.htm