Similarities and Distinctions of Cancer and Immune Metabolism in Inflammation and Tumors

Publication date: 5 July 2017
Source:Cell Metabolism, Volume 26, Issue 1
Author(s): Gabriela Andrejeva, Jeffrey C. Rathmell
It has been appreciated for nearly 100 years that cancer cells are metabolically distinct from resting tissues. More recently understood is that this metabolic phenotype is not unique to cancer cells but instead reflects characteristics of proliferating cells. Similar metabolic transitions also occur in the immune system as cells transition from resting state to stimulated effectors. A key finding in immune metabolism is that the metabolic programs of different cell subsets are distinctly associated with immunological function. Further, interruption of those metabolic pathways can shift immune cell fate to modulate immunity. These studies have identified numerous metabolic similarities between cancer and immune cells but also critical differences that may be exploited and that affect treatment of cancer and immunological diseases.

Teaser

Interest in metabolic interventions against malignancy, autoimmunity, and inflammation has surged with the recognition of shared metabolic features in cancer and immune cells. Andrejeva and Rathmell discuss the metabolic pathways that support cell proliferation and activity and contrast the metabolic challenges of cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.


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