Mitochondrial-Based Nanomedicine in Treatment of Liver Cancer

Mol Biotechnol. 2026 May;68(5):2127-2145. doi: 10.1007/s12033-025-01523-4. Epub 2025 Nov 18.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent type of liver cancer, representing around 97% of cases in humans. Mitochondria play a crucial role in slowing the progression of HCC and are utilized in developing precision medicine strategies targeting various mitochondria-related pathways. Recent developments in nanomedicine exploit the unique features of nanoparticles for improving drug delivery and efficacy specifically to mitochondria, bypassing the problems related to conventional chemotherapy. Mitochondria-targeted nanomedicines are developed for damaging mitochondrial DNA in liver cancer tissues by increasing reactive oxygen species perturbing redox balance and respiratory chain. This review emphasizes the future of mitochondrial-targeted nanomedicine in transforming liver cancer management and encourages an attempt to continuously improve these strategies to provide patients with better survival chances and quality of life.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver cancer; Mitochondria; Nanomedicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Mitochondria* / drug effects
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • Nanomedicine* / methods
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • DNA, Mitochondrial