Targeting the cancer metabolism-immunity interface: update and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Metabolic Research

Background:

• Cancer cells reprogram the tumor microenvironment's metabolism, creating nutrient competition and immunosuppression.
• Immune cells like T cells and NK cells are impaired by nutrient deprivation and oncometabolites (e.g., lactate, adenosine).
• Tumor vasculature, cancer-associated fibroblasts, diet, and microbiome further influence cancer-immunity metabolic crosstalk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanistic basis of cancer metabolism and immune regulation interplay.
• To discuss how anti-cancer therapies impact metabolic and immune pathways.
• To highlight next-generation metabolic therapies for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on cancer metabolism and immune interactions.
• Analysis of metabolic reprogramming by cancer cells, immune cells, and stromal components.
• Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic checkpoints.

Main Results:

• Metabolic crosstalk is a key factor in immune escape and treatment resistance.
• Targeting metabolic pathways (e.g., glycolysis, adenosine signaling) can restore antitumor immunity.
• Combination strategies integrating metabolic interventions with immunotherapy show synergistic effects.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic reprogramming is central to tumor immune evasion and therapeutic resistance.
• Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities, including novel inhibitors, presents a promising avenue for durable cancer control.
• Overcoming metabolic barriers is crucial for enhancing immunotherapy and conventional cancer treatments.