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mTOR-dependent immunometabolism as Achilles' heel of anticancer therapy

Clarissa Braun1,2, Thomas Weichhart1

  • 1Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

European Journal of Immunology
|October 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates immune cell metabolism and function. mTOR inhibitors targeting cancer may impact anti-tumor immunity, suggesting immunometabolism is key for effective cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cell Metabolism

Background:

  • Immune cells are crucial in the tumor microenvironment, impacting cancer therapies.
  • The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway controls immune cell metabolism, activation, and function.
  • Deregulation of mTOR complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) drives cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of mTOR complexes in immune and cancer cell metabolism.
  • To discuss the impact of mTOR inhibitors on immunometabolism in cancer.
  • To highlight immunometabolism as a critical factor in anticancer therapy efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mTOR signaling in cancer and immunology.
  • Analysis of mTOR complex functions in immune cell metabolism.
  • Discussion of mTOR inhibitors' effects on anti-tumor immune responses.

Main Results:

  • mTOR signaling coordinates immune cell metabolism and effector functions.
  • Activated mTOR in cancer cells promotes tumor growth and invasion.
  • mTOR inhibitors can modulate immune cell functions, potentially affecting anti-tumor responses.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding mTOR's influence on immunometabolism is vital for cancer treatment.
  • Patient stratification based on immune cell subtypes in tumors may optimize therapy.
  • Future cancer drug development must consider immunometabolic effects.
Keywords:
cancer treatmentimmunometabolismimmunotherapymTORC1tumor microenvironment

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