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Updated: Jun 4, 2025
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Immunometabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Hope and challenge
Yi-Jia-Ning Zhang1, Yao Xiao1, Zi-Zhan Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
Abstract:
Immunotherapy has improved the survival rate of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but less than 20 % of them have a durable response to these treatments. Excessive local recurrence and lymph node metastasis ultimately lead to death, making the 5-year survival rate of HNSCC still not optimistic. Cell metabolism has become a key determinant of the viability and function of cancer cells and immune cells. In order to maintain the enormous anabolic demand, tumor cells choose a specialized metabolism different from non-transformed somatic cells, leading to changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In recent years, our understanding of immune cell metabolism and cancer cell metabolism has gradually increased, and we have begun to explore the interaction between cancer cell metabolism and immune cell metabolism in a way which is meaningful for treatment. Understanding the different metabolic requirements of different cells that constitute the immune response to HNSCC is beneficial for revealing metabolic heterogeneity and plasticity, thereby enhancing the effect of immunotherapy. In this review, we have concluded that the relevant metabolic processes that affect the function of immune cells in HNSCC TME and proposed our own opinions and prospects on how to use metabolic intervention to enhance anti-tumor immune responses.
Insights
Metabolic reprogramming in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) impacts immunotherapy effectiveness. Targeting cancer and immune cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may enhance treatment responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Immunotherapy offers improved survival for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, yet durable responses are achieved in less than 20%.
- Local recurrence and lymph node metastasis remain critical challenges, contributing to a suboptimal 5-year survival rate for HNSCC.
- Tumor cells exhibit specialized metabolism to meet anabolic demands, altering the tumor microenvironment (TME) and influencing immune cell function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the metabolic processes affecting immune cells within the HNSCC TME.
- To explore the interplay between cancer cell metabolism and immune cell metabolism in HNSCC.
- To propose strategies for metabolic intervention to enhance anti-tumor immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on cancer cell metabolism and immune cell metabolism in HNSCC.
- Analysis of metabolic pathways influencing immune cell function within the tumor microenvironment.
- Synthesis of current understanding to identify therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Cancer cell metabolic reprogramming significantly impacts the TME.
- Metabolic heterogeneity and plasticity are key features of immune cells in HNSCC.
- Specific metabolic pathways are identified as crucial for immune cell function in HNSCC.
Conclusions:
- Understanding cancer and immune cell metabolism is crucial for improving HNSCC immunotherapy.
- Metabolic interventions hold promise for enhancing anti-tumor immunity in HNSCC.
- Further research into metabolic reprogramming can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for HNSCC.
