Nanomedicine-mediated modulation of tumor metabolism for enhanced immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative approach in cancer treatment. However, its efficacy remains limited in many cases. A key factor contributing to this limitation is metabolic reprogramming within the tumor microenvironment (TME), which suppresses immune cell function and promotes tumor progression. Recently, nanotechnology-based approaches have opened new ways to modulate tumor metabolism and enhance immunotherapy. This review outlines nanoscale strategies aimed at reprogramming tumor metabolism to potentiate antitumor immunity. We begin by discussing the rational design of immune-metabolic nanoregulators, along with key immunometabolic pathways and their regulatory mechanisms. Next, nanotechnology strategies for targeted metabolic intervention at the cellular and microbial levels, as well as the metabolic characteristics of TME are systematically summarized. Furthermore, we highlight recent advances in nanomedicine-based metabolic regulators and evaluate their potential for clinical translation, addressing both opportunities and challenges.