Lipid metabolic reprogramming regulates macrophage senescence in the tumor microenvironment

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made significant progress in the treatment of many malignant tumors; however, their efficacy remains limited by the complex immune-suppressive characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME), with only a subset of patients experiencing durable remission. Identifying new targets for immune modulation has therefore become a major focus of current cancer research. In this context, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have emerged as key regulators of tumor initiation, progression and immune modulation owing to their striking functional plasticity. TAMs exhibit considerable phenotypic plasticity, with metabolic reprogramming shaping their polarization towards anti-tumor M1-like or pro-tumor M2-like states. The alterations in lipid metabolism not only affect the phenotypic transformation of TAMs, but more importantly, they also drive macrophage senescence, leading to impaired immune surveillance, weakened anti-tumor immunity and ultimately immune escape. This process is marked by lipid accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), collectively contributing to the establishment of an immunosuppressive TME. In this review, we summarize the key mechanisms by which lipid metabolic reprogramming in TAMs regulates macrophage senescence, with particular emphasis on the role of SASP in shaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment. We also discuss therapeutic strategies targeting TAM senescence and lipid metabolism, highlighting their potential synergy with ICIs and metabolic modulators. Collectively, targeting these TAM-related pathways may provide a promising strategy to overcome immune evasion and ICIs resistance.