Xinyao Wang,1,2 Xiangyang Xiong1,3 

1The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China; 2Queen Mary School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Xiangyang Xiong, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China, Email xiangyangxiong@ncu.edu.cn

Abstract: Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are generated as byproducts of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Changes in mROS levels are involved in tumorigenesis through their effects on cancer genome instability, sustained cancer cell survival, metabolic reprogramming, and tumor metastasis. Recent advances in nanotechnology offer a promising approach for precise regulation of mROS by either enhancing or depleting mROS generation. This review examines the association between dysregulated mROS levels and key cancer hallmarks. We also discuss the potential applications of mROS-targeted nanoparticles that artificially manipulate ROS levels in the mitochondria to achieve precise delivery of antitumor drugs.

Keywords: mitochondria reactive oxygen species, nanoparticle, drug delivery, cancer therapy