Targeting T cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment: an anti-cancer therapeutic strategy

• Published in: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research Vol. 38; no. 1; p. 403
• Main Authors: Yin, Zhongping, Bai, Ling, Li, Wei, Zeng, Tanlun, Tian, Huimin, Cui, Jiuwei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 13.09.2019; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Amino acids; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Cancer; Cancer research; Cancer treatment; Cell differentiation; Drug development; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Health aspects; Humans; Immune response; Immunotherapy; Lymphocytes; Metabolic reprogramming; Metabolism; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - etiology; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Review; T cell; T cells; T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Tumor Microenvironment - drug effects; Tumor Microenvironment - immunology; Tumors; Metabolic reprogramming; Immunotherapy; T cell; Cancer
• ISSN: 1756-9966; 0392-9078; 1756-9966
• DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1409-3

T cells play important roles in anti-tumor immunity. Emerging evidence has revealed that distinct metabolic changes impact the activation and differentiation of T cells. Tailoring immune responses by manipulating cellular metabolic pathways and the identification of new targets may provide new options for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the metabolic reprogramming of different subtypes of T cells and T cell functions. We summarize how metabolic pathways accurately regulate T cell development, differentiation, and function in the tumor microenvironment. Because of the similar metabolism in activated T cells and tumor cells, we also describe the effect of the tumor microenvironment on T cell metabolism reprogramming, which may provide strategies for maximal anti-cancer effects and enhancing the immunity of T cells. Thus, studies of T lymphocyte metabolism can not only facilitate the basic research of immune metabolism, but also provide potential targets for drug development and new strategies for clinical treatment of cancer.