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Metabolic Reprogramming in the Tumor Microenvironment With Immunocytes and Immune Checkpoints
Yaolin Xu1, Lijie He1, Qiang Fu2
1Department of Oncology, The People's Hospital of China Medical University/The People's Hospital of LiaoNing Province, Shenyang, China.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show promise but face resistance due to metabolic reprogramming. Targeting tumor and immune cell metabolism, particularly glycolysis, offers a strategy to enhance ICI therapy effectiveness and overcome resistance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic pathways
- Cancer therapy
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) like Nivolumab have improved anti-tumor therapy.
- However, limited response rates and resistance hinder their efficacy.
- Metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a key barrier to immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review metabolic reprogramming in tumor and immune cells within the TME.
- To explore the impact of metabolism on anti-tumor immunity and ICI efficacy.
- To discuss targeting metabolic pathways to overcome ICI resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on glycolysis, amino acid, lipid, and nucleotide metabolism.
- Analysis of mitochondrial biogenesis in the TME.
- Examination of programmed cell death (ligand) 1 [PD-(L)1] expression under metabolic reprogramming.
Main Results:
- Metabolic reprogramming significantly impacts immune cell function and tumor progression.
- Targeting key metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, can enhance ICI efficacy.
- Metabolic alterations influence PD-(L)1 expression in tumor and immune cells.
Conclusions:
- Targeting tumor and immune cell metabolism is crucial for improving ICI therapy.
- Metabolic strategies hold potential for overcoming adaptive resistance to ICIs.
- Metabolic biomarkers may predict patient response to ICI treatment.
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