Restoring the powerhouse: mitochondrial transplantation in regenerative medicine and cancer therapy

Mitochondrial dysfunction acts as a central contributor to diverse pathologies, ranging from neurodegenerative disorders to cancer, yet traditional pharmacotherapy often fails to restore organelle bioenergetics. Building on the discovery of natural intercellular mitochondrial transfer, Mitochondrial Transplantation (MtT) has emerged as a groundbreaking strategy to replace damaged organelles with healthy exogenous mitochondria. The present review synthesizes the recent progress in MtT, highlighting the intervention's dual therapeutic role: restoring metabolic homeostasis in regenerative medicine and reversing metabolic reprogramming to sensitize tumors in oncology. The text critically assesses current isolation techniques and innovative delivery strategies designed to overcome stability and uptake challenges. By evaluating biological mechanisms and translational barriers of "mitotherapy", the article provides a comprehensive theoretical foundation for advancing precision organelle-centered medicine.