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Review
. 2025 Feb;40(2):355-366.
doi: 10.1111/jgh.16873. Epub 2025 Jan 8.

Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming of Immune Cells in the Microenvironment of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Cancers

Yongqing Zhao  1 , Weixiong Zhu  1 , Shi Dong  1 , Hui Zhang  1   2 , Wence Zhou  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming of Immune Cells in the Microenvironment of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Cancers

Yongqing Zhao et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Background and aim: Pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers are increasing in prevalence and contribute significantly to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Emerging therapeutic approaches, particularly immunotherapy, are gaining attention for their potential to harness the patient's immune system to combat these tumors. Understanding the role of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and their metabolic reprogramming is key to developing more effective treatment strategies. This review aims to explore the relationship between immune cell function and glucose metabolism in the TME of pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers.

Methods: This review synthesizes current research on the metabolic adaptations of immune cells, specifically focusing on glucose metabolism within the TME of pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers. We examine the mechanisms by which immune cells influence tumor progression through metabolic reprogramming and how these interactions can be targeted for therapeutic purposes.

Results: Immune cells in the TME undergo significant metabolic changes, with glucose metabolism playing a central role in modulating immune responses. These metabolic shifts not only affect immune cell function but also influence tumor behavior and progression. The unique metabolic features of immune cells in pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers provide new opportunities for targeting immune responses to combat these malignancies more effectively.

Conclusion: Understanding the complex relationship between immune cell glucose metabolism and tumor progression in the TME of pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers offers promising therapeutic strategies. By modulating immune responses through targeted metabolic interventions, it may be possible to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies and better combat these aggressive cancers.

Keywords: glucose metabolism; immune cell; immunotherapy; tumor microenvironment.

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