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Review
. 2023 Nov 22:14:1265525.
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1265525. eCollection 2023.

Metabolic and senescence characteristics associated with the immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer

Jian Xiong #  1 , Yiyuan Fu #  1 , Jiezheng Huang  1 , Yibin Wang  1 , Xiaolong Jin  1 , Xiaoyan Wan  1 , Liu Huang  1 , Zheng Huang  1
Affiliations
Review

Metabolic and senescence characteristics associated with the immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer

Jian Xiong et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). .

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is a highly malignant gynecological cancer influenced by the immune microenvironment, metabolic reprogramming, and cellular senescence. This review provides a comprehensive overview of these characteristics. Metabolic reprogramming affects immune cell function and tumor growth signals. Cellular senescence in immune and tumor cells impacts anti-tumor responses and therapy resistance. Targeting immune cell metabolism and inducing tumor cell senescence offer potential therapeutic strategies. However, challenges remain in identifying specific targets and biomarkers. Understanding the interplay of these characteristics can lead to innovative therapeutic approaches. Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms, validate strategies, and improve patient outcomes in ovarian cancer.

Keywords: immune microenvironment; metabolism; ovarian cancer; senescence; therapeutic strategies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A comparison of metabolic pathways in ovarian cancer cells under conditions of nutrient abundance and nutrient deprivation revealed distinct metabolic alterations. (A, B) In nutrient-rich conditions, ovarian cancer cells tend to rely on glycolysis and exhibit increased glucose uptake and lactate production. Conversely, under nutrient-deficient conditions, these cells exhibit metabolic adaptations such as enhanced autophagy and utilization of alternative energy sources like fatty acids and amino acids. Understanding these metabolic differences may provide insights into novel therapeutic strategies targeting the specific metabolic vulnerabilities of ovarian cancer cells. (C) A comparison between the primary tumor microenvironment and the ovarian cancer microenvironment reveals distinct differences. In the primary tumor microenvironment, various cell types, including cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components, interact to shape tumor progression. However, in the ovarian cancer microenvironment, additional factors like pericytes and specific inflammatory cytokines and chemokines contribute to its unique composition. These variations highlight the importance of considering the specific characteristics of the ovarian cancer microenvironment in understanding disease biology and developing targeted therapeutic approaches.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The figure depicts the intricate composition of the microenvironment in ovarian cancer. The ovarian cancer microenvironment encompasses various components, including ovarian cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, pericytes, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM comprises a complex network of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and other secreted molecules, contributing to the dynamic interactions within the microenvironment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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