Nanotechnology, mitochondria, and cancer: Mitochondria-targeting particles for biomedical applications

Abstract Mitochondria have become a promising target for prevention and treatment of various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury, diabetes, obesity, and especially cancer. As a result, recent research has been focused on targeting mitochondria. To impact on mitochondrial functions, drug molecules need to be able to selectively travel to mitochondria and overcome barriers such as the cell membrane and mitochondrial membrane. This can be enhanced through various delivery systems which include liposomes, polymeric particles, and inorganic particles. These delivery systems are often decorated with mitochondriotropic moieties such as triphenylphosphonium and dequalinium. Here, we provide an overview of the various nanoparticle- and microparticle-based strategies used to deliver drugs to mitochondria.