The impact of tumor cell metabolism on T cell-mediated immune responses and immuno-metabolic biomarkers in cancer

Abstract

The role of adaptive immunity is increasingly recognized as an important element both in the process of tumorigenesis and in the patient's response to treatment. While this understanding has led to new therapeutic strategies that potentiate the activities of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, only a minority of patients attain durable responses. Metabolic activities in the tumor microenvironment, including hypoxia and acidity, can adversely affect immune responses, making the identification of metabolic biomarkers critically important for understanding and employing immunotherapies.

Keywords: Cancer metabolism; Hypoxia; Immunotherapy; Metabolic biomarkers; TIL.