Recent research has identified cellular metabolism as a major factor in the functionality of cancer and immune cells. Tumors employ a distinct metabolic profile from non-cancerous cells, to support their huge metabolic activity. Therefore, tumor cell growth is dependent on the nutrients in the surrounding environment. One of the key nutrients for the survival and proliferation of the tumor is glucose, with the tumor cells depending on glucose metabolism and uptake. This aerobic glycolysis is also a primary energy source in the activation of immune cells. This leads to a tumor microenvironment (TME) often acidic, hypoxic, and depleted of nutrients required by immune cells, thereby inhibiting immune cell metabolism. The tumor metabolism itself can limit immune-mediated tumor cell killing, aiding tumor proliferation.
Heterogeneity and interaction between cancer cell metabolism and immune cell metabolism present a potential target for improving cancer immunotherapy as well as a potential diagnostic/prognostic biomarker. Understanding the heterogeneous metabolic requirements of the cells underlying the immune response to cancer presents an opportunity to selectively regulate immune cell function. Indeed, targeting glucose metabolism may provide a selective mechanism for tumor cell killing. It has been postulated that a carbohydrates reduction diet may support the anti-tumoral effects of immunotherapy.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Clinical Trial, Case Report, Opinion, and Perspective articles focusing on glucose metabolism in cancer immunity and immunotherapy. We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Updates on the interactions between cancer cells and immune cells in glucose metabolism
• Updates on the interplay between glucose metabolism and other metabolic pathways in cancer cells and/or immune cells against tumors
• The effect of glucose metabolism on the TME and the resulting effect on immune cell functionality
• Therapeutic modulation of glucose metabolism to improve cancer immunotherapies
• Pathways regulating glucose metabolism and targeting as a potential cancer immunotherapy
• The side effects of anti-cancer treatments on glucose metabolism in cancer and immune cells
• Effects of a reduced carbohydrate diet in supporting the anti-tumoral effects of immunotherapy.
• Phenotypic and/or functional heterogeneity in glucose metabolism of cancer cells and/or immune cells
• Use of novel technologies to understand the heterogeneity in glucose metabolism between cancer cells and immune cells
• Age-related effects in glucose metabolism on Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy
Note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by in vitro or in vivo functional validation are considered out of scope of this section.
Topic Editor Dr. Frédérique Vegran received financial support from Galderma. The other Editors have no competing interests.
Recent research has identified cellular metabolism as a major factor in the functionality of cancer and immune cells. Tumors employ a distinct metabolic profile from non-cancerous cells, to support their huge metabolic activity. Therefore, tumor cell growth is dependent on the nutrients in the surrounding environment. One of the key nutrients for the survival and proliferation of the tumor is glucose, with the tumor cells depending on glucose metabolism and uptake. This aerobic glycolysis is also a primary energy source in the activation of immune cells. This leads to a tumor microenvironment (TME) often acidic, hypoxic, and depleted of nutrients required by immune cells, thereby inhibiting immune cell metabolism. The tumor metabolism itself can limit immune-mediated tumor cell killing, aiding tumor proliferation.
Heterogeneity and interaction between cancer cell metabolism and immune cell metabolism present a potential target for improving cancer immunotherapy as well as a potential diagnostic/prognostic biomarker. Understanding the heterogeneous metabolic requirements of the cells underlying the immune response to cancer presents an opportunity to selectively regulate immune cell function. Indeed, targeting glucose metabolism may provide a selective mechanism for tumor cell killing. It has been postulated that a carbohydrates reduction diet may support the anti-tumoral effects of immunotherapy.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Clinical Trial, Case Report, Opinion, and Perspective articles focusing on glucose metabolism in cancer immunity and immunotherapy. We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Updates on the interactions between cancer cells and immune cells in glucose metabolism
• Updates on the interplay between glucose metabolism and other metabolic pathways in cancer cells and/or immune cells against tumors
• The effect of glucose metabolism on the TME and the resulting effect on immune cell functionality
• Therapeutic modulation of glucose metabolism to improve cancer immunotherapies
• Pathways regulating glucose metabolism and targeting as a potential cancer immunotherapy
• The side effects of anti-cancer treatments on glucose metabolism in cancer and immune cells
• Effects of a reduced carbohydrate diet in supporting the anti-tumoral effects of immunotherapy.
• Phenotypic and/or functional heterogeneity in glucose metabolism of cancer cells and/or immune cells
• Use of novel technologies to understand the heterogeneity in glucose metabolism between cancer cells and immune cells
• Age-related effects in glucose metabolism on Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy
Note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by in vitro or in vivo functional validation are considered out of scope of this section.
Topic Editor Dr. Frédérique Vegran received financial support from Galderma. The other Editors have no competing interests.
