Epigenetic regulation of tumor-immune symbiosis in glioma

Trends Mol Med. 2024 May;30(5):429-442. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.02.004. Epub 2024 Mar 7.

Abstract

Glioma is a type of aggressive and incurable brain tumor. Patients with glioma are highly resistant to all types of therapies, including immunotherapies. Epigenetic reprogramming is a key molecular hallmark in tumors across cancer types, including glioma. Mounting evidence highlights a pivotal role of epigenetic regulation in shaping tumor biology and therapeutic responses through mechanisms involving both glioma cells and immune cells, as well as their symbiotic interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation that impacts glioma cell biology and tumor immunity in both a cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous manner. Moreover, we provide an overview of potential therapeutic approaches that can disrupt epigenetic-regulated tumor-immune symbiosis in the glioma TME.

Keywords: epigenetics; glioma; immunotherapy; therapeutic potential; tumor-immune symbiosis.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glioma* / genetics
  • Glioma* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / immunology