Mitochondrial DNA Mutations Linked to Cancer Severity
New research published in The FEBS Journal links mitochondrial DNA copy number directly to mutational load and disease progression within cancer cells. Investigators at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur found that variations in mitochondrial DNA correlate strongly with how tumors grow, survive, and respond to chemotherapy.
Mitochondria contain their own distinct DNA molecules, known as mtDNA, which drive cellular energy production and function. The new study establishes a measurable connection between the volume of mtDNA copies and the extent of genetic mutations inside malignant tissue.
High mtDNA copy number supports tumor survival
The analysis revealed that an elevated mtDNA copy number often acts as a biological signature compensating for impaired mitochondrial function inside cancer cells. This increase scales with the degree of internal genetic disruption.
Shifts in mtDNA copy volume altered the expression of specific genes tied directly to chemotherapy response. Tumors displaying high mtDNA copy numbers frequently expressed genes that actively support tumor growth and survival, complicating standard treatment pathways.
Future Cancer Management Strategies
Dr. Riddhiman Dhar, corresponding author of the study from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, noted that these results reveal a close association between mitochondrial DNA quantity, cancer progression, and therapy response. The findings could pave the way for deeper investigations into the role of mitochondria in cancer and enable novel approaches to cancer management.
What is mitochondrial DNA copy number?
What is mitochondrial DNA copy number?
Mitochondrial DNA copy number refers to the total quantity of mtDNA molecules found within a cell’s mitochondria.
How does mtDNA affect chemotherapy resistance?
Variations in mtDNA copy number influence the expression of specific genes linked to how cancer cells react to drug treatments. High mtDNA copy numbers often correlate with genes that promote tumor survival, potentially reducing the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy drugs.
Who led this mitochondrial cancer study?
The research was led by corresponding author Dr. Riddhiman Dhar and researcher A. Acharyya at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Their findings were published in The FEBS Journal in 2026 under the title Multicancer analysis reveals mtDNA copy number as a key determinant of mutational load and cancer progression.