A novel computational tool for tracking cancer energy hijacking from immune cells

Abstract

Recent studies revealed a new biological process that malignant cancer cells hijack mitochondria from nearby T cells, providing another potential mechanism for immune evasion. We further confirmed this process at the single‐cell genomic level through MERCI, a novel algorithm for tracking mitochondrial (MT) transfer. Applied to human cancer samples, MERCI identified a new cancer phenotype linked to MT hijacking, correlating with rapid tumour proliferation and poor patient survival. This discovery offers insights into the limitations of current cancer immunotherapies and suggests new therapeutic avenues targeting MT transfer to enhance cancer treatment efficacy.