Metabolic immunoengineering approaches to enhance CD8+ T cell-based cancer immunotherapy

Cell Syst. 2024 Dec 18;15(12):1225-1244. doi: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.11.010.

Abstract

Many cancer immunotherapies rely on robust CD8+ T cells capable of eliminating cancer cells and establishing long-term tumor control. Recent insights into immunometabolism highlight the importance of nutrients and metabolites in T cell activation and differentiation. Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) undergo metabolic adaptations to survive but compromise their effector function and differentiation. Targeting metabolism holds promise for enhancing CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Here, we overview the metabolic features of CD8+ TILs and their impact on T cell effector function and differentiation. We also highlight immunoengineering strategies by leveraging the Yin-Yang of metabolic modulation for improving cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords: CD8(+) T cell; cancer immunotherapy; metabolic immunoengineering.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / immunology
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / immunology