Mitochondrial Function Assays in Cancer Research: Exploring Metabolic Alterations and Therapeutic Insights

Mitochondria exerts dual pivotal roles in the intricate interplay between cancer and metabolism, sustaining basal energy production while driving the metabolic reprogramming essential for tumor progression. Contrary to the classical Warburg hypothesis, functional mitochondria remain indispensable to the majority of tumors, supporting biosynthetic processes, redox signaling, and metabolic adaptability within the nutrient-depleted tumor microenvironment. In this issue, we systematically summarize mitochondrial-associated metabolic reprogramming mechanisms, key biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction, core functional assessment assays, advanced analytical techniques, and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial vulnerabilities.