Dual Mitochondrial Dependencies in Cancer: OXPHOS and Fatty Acid Oxidation Pathways in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Pancreatic Cancer; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors

  • Mahnoor Khan Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4782-5248
  • Adil Kaleem Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan Author
  • Abu Bakar Rehman Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.68041/jbpt.v2i3/07

Keywords:

Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute, Metabolic Reprogramming, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Oxidative Phosphorylation, Pancreatic Neoplasms

Abstract

Background: Mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming by Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) has become survival and therapy-resistance driver in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This review aimed to evaluate the role of OXPHOS and FAO pathways in cancers and potential as therapeutic targets. Methods: The research was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched from January 2013 to December 2025. Articles with data on effect of pharmacological or genetic inhibition of OXPHOS and FAO in AML and PDAC were considered. Reviews, case reports, and non-English articles were excluded. The SYRCLE and OHAT tools were used to determine the risk of bias, and the certainty of evidence was determined using GRADE. MetaAnalysisOnline Tool was used for statistical analysis. Results: Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Studies included in AML assessed OXPHOS (SMD = -0.76, 95% CI: -3.18 to -1.67, p= 0.05) and FAO (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI: -7.31 to -6.93, p> 0.05) showed no significant differences and high heterogeneity (I2 > 94%). In PDAC, four studies provided data on OXPHOS (SMD = -5.27, 95% CI: -15.59 to -5.05, p .05) and four on FAO (SMD = -215.42, 95% CI: -616.27 to -185.44, p>0.05) and high heterogeneity (I² > 95%). The overall risk of bias was low to moderate, and certainty of evidence was moderate. Conclusion: In cancer cells, AML, and PDAC, OXPHOS and FAO were parallel dependent pathways, making mitochondrial metabolism a promising target therapy.

 

Author Biographies

  • Mahnoor Khan, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan

    Department of Allied Health Sciences

  • Adil Kaleem, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan

    Department of Allied Health Sciences

  • Abu Bakar Rehman, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan

    Department of Allied Health Sciences

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Published

20-09-2026

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2026): September

Section

Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mahnoor Khan, Adil Kaleem, Abu Bakar Rehman

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How to Cite

Dual Mitochondrial Dependencies in Cancer: OXPHOS and Fatty Acid Oxidation Pathways in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Pancreatic Cancer; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2026). Journal of Biomolecules, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics, 2(3), 138-147. https://doi.org/10.68041/jbpt.v2i3/07