Crosstalk between mitophagy and breast cancer: mechanisms of action and clinical applications

Mitophagy, a key mechanism of selective autophagy, maintains cellular homeostasis by removing dysfunctional mitochondria, and its dysregulation is closely associated with tumor initiation and progression. As breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies among women worldwide, its heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance have prompted growing interest in identifying novel molecular targets. Emerging evidence indicates that mitophagy plays a dual role in breast cancer development, metastasis, and treatment resistance by regulating energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and cell-fate decisions. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy and its dynamic regulatory networks in breast cancer. Further, it discusses emerging mitophagy-targeted therapeutic strategies, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for the precision treatment of breast cancer.