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Updated: Jul 20, 2025
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Monitoring the Cancer-Immunity Cycle and Exploring Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics
Published on: June 7, 2024
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2-hydroxyglutarate rides the cancer-immunity cycle.
Iosifina P Foskolou1, Lukas Bunse2, Jan Van den Bossche3
1Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research and Department of Hematology University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|July 29, 2023
Summary
Both D- and L-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) enantiomers impact immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. This review explores their roles, moving beyond D-2HG
Area of Science:
- Metabolism
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) is a Krebs cycle byproduct with D- and L- enantiomers.
- Both enantiomers accumulate in cancer and immune cells, influencing cell function.
- D-2HG was initially viewed as an oncometabolite but also regulates immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the distinct roles of D- and L-2HG enantiomers.
- To examine the impact of 2HG enantiomers on immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on 2HG enantiomers and immune cells.
- Analysis of research on D-2HG and L-2HG in cancer and immunity.
Main Results:
- D-2HG physiologically accumulates in immune cells, regulating immune function.
- L-2HG acts as an immunometabolite in T cells and can be induced in cancers.
- Both enantiomers influence immune cell behavior within the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- 2HG enantiomers have complex and distinct roles in cancer and immunity.
- Understanding these roles is crucial for cancer immunology and therapeutic strategies.
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