Mitochondrial swap from cancer to immune cells thwarts anti-tumour defences

Mitochondria are energy-providing organelles found in nearly all cells of humans and in a variety of other species. Over the past two decades, it has become clear that many types of cell can transfer some of their mitochondria to other cell types. This process, called horizontal or intercellular mitochondria transfer, has been implicated in the maintenance of tissue health but can also contribute to cancer¹. Writing in Nature, Ikeda et al.² report that cancer cells obtain functional mitochondria from immune cells called T cells that infiltrate the tumour. In exchange, the cancer cells return mitochondria that harbour mutations and these organelles impair the T cells’ antitumour immune response. This bidirectional exchange of mitochondria enables cancer cells to support their metabolic needs while simultaneously creating favourable conditions for tumour growth.