Metabolic Reprogramming of Tumors: Induced Immunosuppression and Therapeutic Prospects of Nanoscale Drug Delivery...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Nanotechnology
• Metabolic Engineering

Background:

• Tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis involve significant metabolic reprogramming.
• Metabolic alterations in tumor cells within the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) are critical but often overlooked, contributing to therapeutic failure.
• Competition for nutrients between tumor and immune cells in the TIME leads to hypoxia, acidosis, and an immunosuppressive environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the interplay between tumor metabolic reprogramming and the TIME.
• To elucidate the mechanisms by which metabolic reprogramming drives immune suppression.
• To highlight nanoscale delivery systems as therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment by modulating the TIME.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on tumor metabolism, the TIME, and nanodelivery systems.
• Analysis of mechanisms linking metabolic reprogramming to immune suppression.
• Exploration of nanoscale delivery system designs for metabolic intervention in cancer therapy.

Main Results:

• Metabolic reprogramming in tumors creates an immunosuppressive TIME through nutrient competition, hypoxia, and acidosis.
• Nanoscale delivery systems, including liposomes and polymers, can be engineered to deliver metabolites and regulate immune cells.
• Strategies like active targeting, stimuli-responsive release, and multimodal therapies enhance the efficacy of nanodrug delivery systems.

Conclusions:

• Targeting tumor metabolic reprogramming presents a promising avenue for cancer treatment.
• Nanoscale delivery systems offer versatile platforms for metabolic interventions to reverse TIME-induced immunosuppression.
• Further research and clinical translation of metabolism-targeted nanodrug delivery systems are crucial for advancing tumor therapy.