Mitochondrial Metabolic Reprogramming in Colorectal Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: An Up-to-Date Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression stems from dynamic metabolic crosstalk between malignant cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Among stromal components, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as pivotal metabolic drivers rather than mere structural elements. Specifically, evidence indicates that mitochondrial reprogramming in CAFs significantly orchestrates tumor growth, therapeutic resistance, and immune evasion in CRC. This review synthesizes recent insights into how CAF mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming dictate CRC biology. We first examine the functional diversity of CAF subpopulations and their distinct mitochondrial requirements. We then contrast mitochondrial dynamics-including fission-fusion balance and mitophagy-between CRC cells and CAFs, highlighting how tumor-derived signals modulate stromal mitochondrial function. We systematically evaluate key regulatory pathways of CAF mitochondrial reprogramming, including TGF-β/HIF-1α, ROS-NF-κB, PI3K-AKT-mTOR, AMPK-PGC-1α, YAP/TAZ mechanotransduction, and mtDNA-mediated cGAS-STING signaling. Furthermore, we discuss how remodeled CAF mitochondria foster metabolic symbiosis via lactate, ketone, and glutamine shuttling; maintain redox homeostasis through the NADPH-glutathione axis and UCP2; and establish immunosuppressive niches via mitochondrial stress signaling. Collectively, these mechanisms drive resistance to chemotherapy, targeted agents, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. By integrating mitochondrial metabolism, stromal signaling, and clinical responses, this review identifies CAF mitochondria as an actionable target within the CRC TME. Targeting these CAF-specific pathways offers a novel strategy to disrupt tumor-stroma metabolic cooperation and overcome treatment resistance in colorectal cancer.