Beggars banquet: Metabolism in the tumor immune microenvironment and cancer therapy

Cell Metab. 2023 Jul 11;35(7):1101-1113. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.06.003. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Abstract

Metabolic programming in the tumor microenvironment (TME) alters tumor immunity and immunotherapeutic response in tumor-bearing mice and patients with cancer. Here, we review immune-related functions of core metabolic pathways, key metabolites, and crucial nutrient transporters in the TME, discuss their metabolic, signaling, and epigenetic impact on tumor immunity and immunotherapy, and explore how these insights can be applied to the development of more effective modalities to potentiate the function of T cells and sensitize tumor cell receptivity to immune attack, thereby overcoming therapeutic resistance.

Keywords: T cell; checkpoint; immunotherapy; metabolism; metabolite; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Immunotherapy
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment*