The Ho Lab reviews tumour-immune metabolic crosstalk and potential nutrient-limiting strategies that favour anti-tumour immune responses.
What was the topic and the scope you set yourself going into this review?
Our aim was to explore how tumour cells modulate the metabolism of immune cells, focusing on CD8+ T cells, regulatory T cells (Treg cells), macrophage and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We also discussed a potential involvement of metabolic crosstalk in immunoediting process, and reviewed the emerging therapeutic strategies that target immunometabolism for cancer treatment.
Why should we pay particular attention to this subject?
Emerging evidences suggest tumour cells can escape immune surveillance by modulating immunometabolism in the tumour microenvironment (TME). It's therefore crucial to understand the tumour-immune metabolic crosstalk to support the development of cancer treatment.
What are the hypotheses that you proposed?
It's well-documented that tumour cells can consume enormous nutrients and produce metabolites that dampen anti-tumour immune response and promote immunosuppression. Nevertheless, the immune responses in the TME may in turn reprogram tumour metabolic preferences, promoting immunoediting. Targeting metabolic crosstalk in the TME is therefore key to preventing cancer progression and eliciting anti-tumour responses.