The mitochondrial theory of carcinogenesis

: This is a brief review of different ideas on the mechanism of cell malignization united by the mitochondrial conception of carcinogenesis. According to this conception, primary trigger factors of carcinogenesis (free radicals, carcinogens, heat fluctuations) induce damage to mitochondrial DNA and membranes that results in the rearrangement of cell energy metabolism to glycolytic type and disturbance of mitochondrial structure and reproduction. The injured part of mitochondrial DNA incorporating into nuclear DNA induces activation of oncogenes, appearance of oncoproteins and malignization of cells.