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Metabolic reprogramming in the tumour microenvironment: a hallmark shared by cancer cells and T lymphocytes
Author(s) -
Allison Katrina E.,
Coomber Brenda L.,
Bridle Byram W.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.12777
Subject(s) - glutaminolysis , cancer cell , immune system , tumor microenvironment , biology , cancer research , glycolysis , cancer , oxidative phosphorylation , metabolic pathway , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer immunotherapy , reprogramming , metabolism , immunology , immunotherapy , cell , biochemistry , genetics
Summary Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancers, including shifting oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis and up‐regulating glutaminolysis to divert carbon sources into biosynthetic pathways that promote proliferation and survival. Therefore, metabolic inhibitors represent promising anti‐cancer drugs. However, T cells must rapidly divide and survive in harsh microenvironments to mediate anti‐cancer effects. Metabolic profiles of cancer cells and activated T lymphocytes are similar, raising the risk of metabolic inhibitors impairing the immune system. Immune checkpoint blockade provides an example of how metabolism can be differentially impacted to impair cancer cells but support T cells. Implications for research with metabolic inhibitors are discussed.