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Review
. 2022 May;24(5):659-670.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-022-01223-1. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Fatty Acid Metabolism and Cancer Immunotherapy

Yuting Luo  1 , Hanbing Wang  1 , Baorui Liu  1 , Jia Wei  2
Affiliations
Review

Fatty Acid Metabolism and Cancer Immunotherapy

Yuting Luo et al. Curr Oncol Rep. 2022 May.

Abstract

Purpose of review: In this review, we update the latest findings on the impacts of FA metabolism reprogramming on the phenotypes and functions of immune cells in tumor-related immune responses. We also summarize the combinatorial interventions of FA metabolism, which improve the effects of current immunotherapies.

Recent findings: Multiple studies have shown that either the abnormality in signaling pathways or nutrition competition in the TME can lead to phenotypic reprogramming of FA metabolism and functional changes in tumor-infiltrating immune cells, thereby influencing the therapeutic effects of cancer immunotherapies. Accordingly, regulating FA metabolism in immune cells has emerged and become promising approaches to synergize with immunotherapies. One of the mechanisms behind suboptimal therapeutic effects of immunotherapies is metabolic reprogramming of the TME that impairs immunosuppressive activity. FA metabolism is a crucial process involved in the survival and function of primary immune cells. It is of great significance to explore the feasibility of overcoming FA metabolic barriers to improve cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords: Cancer immunotherapy; Fatty acid; Immune cells; Tumor microenvironment.

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References

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