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The Diverse Roles of Lipid Metabolism Reprogramming in Shaping the Tumor Immune Microenvironment
Jiin Lee1,2, Jacinth Wing-Sum Cheu1,2,3, Carmen Chak-Lui Wong1,2,3,4,5
1Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Cancer Research
|December 15, 2025
Summary
Lipid metabolism reprogramming in tumor microenvironments (TME) affects immune cells like tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Targeting lipid metabolism offers new cancer treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Lipid metabolism reprogramming significantly impacts the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- This metabolic shift influences the function of various immune cells, particularly tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).
- While lipids can boost T cell activity, excessive lipid accumulation in the TME may impair anti-tumor immunity and promote immune suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how lipid metabolism reprogramming affects immune cell function within the TME.
- To investigate the role of lipid metabolism in the interactions between TILs and other immune cells.
- To discuss therapeutic strategies targeting lipid metabolism in TILs for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of current literature on lipid metabolism in cancer immunology.
- Examination of the effects of lipid accumulation on effector T cells and regulatory T cells.
- Discussion of potential combination therapies including chemo-immunotherapy, nanomedicine, and adoptive cell transfer.
Main Results:
- Lipid metabolism reprogramming alters immune cell functions within the TME.
- High lipid content in the TME can suppress anti-tumor responses and enhance immunosuppression.
- Metabolic reprogramming influences crosstalk between TILs and other immune cells like dendritic cells, macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
Conclusions:
- Targeting lipid metabolism in TILs presents a promising therapeutic avenue.
- Combination strategies involving lipid metabolism modulation hold potential for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy.
- Further research into lipid metabolism is crucial for developing advanced cancer therapies.
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