The cytokine Meteorin-like inhibits anti-tumor CD8+ T cell responses by disrupting mitochondrial function

The Metabolic Orchestration of Immune Evasion in Glioblastoma: From Molecular Perspectives to Therapeutic Vulnerabilities

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary brain cancer with dismal prognoses despite current standards of care. Immunotherapy is being explored for GBM, given its promising results in other solid malignancies; however, the results from early clinical studies in GBM are disappointing. It has been discovered that GBM has numerous mechanisms of immune resistance, including the physical blood-brain barrier, high intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity, and numerous cellular and molecular components in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that promote immunosuppression. Furthermore, GBM utilizes numerous metabolic pathways to establish a survival advantage in the TME. Recently, it has begun to become evident that these complex metabolic pathways that promote GBM growth and invasion also contribute to tumor immune resistance. Aerobic glycolysis provides tumor cells with ample ATP while depleting key glucose and increasing acidity in the TME. Increased glutamine, tryptophan, and arginine metabolism deprives T cells of these necessary amino acids for proper anti-tumor function. Sphingolipid metabolism promotes an immunosuppressive phenotype in the TME and affects immune cell trafficking. This review will discuss, in detail, the key metabolic pathways relevant to GBM pathophysiology which also modulate host immunosuppression.

Boosting Energy Deprivation via Synchronous Interventions of Oxidative Phosphorylation and Glycolysis for Cancer Therapy with 1,8-Naphthyridine-Piperazine-Dithiocarbamate Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes

Bioenergetic therapy targeting mitochondrial bioenergy is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. However, its clinical efficacy is limited by the metabolic adaptability of tumor cells, as they can switch between glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation metabolic phenotypes to maintain energy homeostasis. In this study, we discovered 1,8-naphthyridine-piperazine-dithiocarbamate ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes (RuL1) that enhanced energy deprivation by inhibiting the activity of mitochondrial complex I and III, thereby disrupting oxidative phosphorylation. Simultaneously, RuL1 inhibits glycolysis while unexpectedly activating antitumor immunity. This dual metabolic-immunological targeting resulted in enhanced anticancer activity against MGC-803 cells. To the best of our knowledge, RuL1 is the first ruthenium polypyridyl complex reported to achieve high anticancer activity through dual metabolic inhibition.

Meteorin-β: A Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target on Its Way to the Regulation of Human Diseases

The novel secreted protein Meteorin-β (Metrnβ) is a homologous protein of the neurotrophic regulator Meteorin, which is widely expressed in the skin, mucous membranes, and white adipose tissue upon stimulation by a variety of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines, while, at the same time Metrnβ may also regulate the expression of these cytokines and chemokines. As a small secreted protein with low tissue specificity, Metrnβ plays vital roles in energy metabolism, insulin sensitivity regulation, neurodevelopment, white fat browning, and inflammatory response. Specifically, Metrnβ may act as an adipokine, myokine, neurotrophic factor, and cytokine, thereby being involved in the pathological and physiological processes of various human diseases, including metabolic, autoimmune and infectious/allergic diseases, and certain types of tumors. This review aims to systematically introduce the current research progress on Metrnβ, including its expression and distribution profiles, biological functions, and immunomodulatory roles in the process of human diseases. Additionally, we also discuss its potential as a biomarker, as well as a therapeutic/preventive agent for human diseases.

Dual role of Metrnl: exercise-induced benefits and potential cancer implications

Metrnl (Meteorin-like), a protein elevated by exercise, supports metabolic regulation, inflammation reduction and glucose homeostasis. While exercise is a cornerstone of cancer prevention and management, recent findings suggest that Metrnl plays a dual role, potentially impairing T-cell function in the tumor microenvironment. This commentary explores the interplay between Metrnl's systemic benefits and its local immunosuppressive effects in cancer. Despite these concerns, exercise remains broadly advantageous for patients with cancer, though further research is essential to understand Metrnl's context-specific impacts.

Robust differentiation of NK cells from MSLN.CAR-IL-15-engineered human iPSCs with enhanced antitumor efficacy against solid tumors

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a promising source for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered natural killer (NK) products. However, complex iPSC-NK (iNK) manufacturing challenges clinical use. Here, we identified LiPSC-GR1.1 as a superior iPSC line for iNK production. By engineering LiPSC-GR1.1 with a mesothelin (MSLN)-targeting CAR and interleukin-15 (IL-15), we achieved robust differentiation of iPSCs into mature activated iNK cells with enhanced tumor killing efficacy, superior tumor homing, and vigorous proliferation. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-producing tumor cells up-regulated major histocompatibility complex molecules and down-regulated MSLN post-CAR-IL-15 iNK treatment. Tumor-infiltrating CAR-IL-15 iNK cells exhibited high levels of CAR, IL-15, and NK-activating receptors, negligible checkpoint exhaustion markers, and extremely low levels of NK suppressive factors CISH, TGFBR2, and BATF, enabling them to sustain activation, metabolic fitness, and effective tumor killing within TGF-β-rich hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Overall, we developed MSLN.CAR-IL-15-engineered GR1.1-iNK therapy with enhanced antitumor efficacy for solid tumor treatment.

Outcomes of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in solid tumours - A systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) treatment is an individualized method of treating different types of solid tumors by using the immune system of the body to target and destroy cancer cells. Although its usefulness has been shown in certain diseases, such as ovarian cancer and melanoma, research is still being done to see whether it is also beneficial against a wider variety of solid tumors.

AIM

To methodically assess the safety, effectiveness, and clinical results of TIL therapy for various solid tumors.

METHODOLOGY

A thorough search in various databases produced 218 papers on TIL treatment for various solid tumors (2018-2024). Nine of the ten papers that satisfied the requirements for inclusion in the quantitative analysis were also included in the systematic review. Two reviewers separately extracted the data and evaluated it. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool were used to evaluate the quality of the studies, and the I2 statistic in the meta-analysis was used to measure heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Numerous studies that looked at the effectiveness of TIL treatment in different types of cancer showed different results. In NSCLC and melanoma, higher CD8+/CD4+ TIL ratios were associated with improved outcomes; in advanced melanoma, TIL therapy was superior to ipilimumab. Response rates differed, with NSCLC showing up at 23.1 % and melanoma up to 53.3 %. Most studies were of good quality and is confirmed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, while some had problems with follow-up. The results' dependability was confirmed by the ROBINS-I and ROB2 tools, which showed low to moderate bias risk.

CONCLUSION

According to the study's findings, TIL therapy is effective in treating solid tumors, especially melanoma, but its results vary according to the kind of cancer as well as tumour microenvironments. Therefore more research is needed to determine the best course of action.

Radiotherapy-induced alterations in tumor microenvironment: metabolism and immunity

Tumor metabolism plays a pivotal role in shaping immune responses within the tumor microenvironment influencing tumor progression, immune evasion, and the efficacy of cancer therapies. Radiotherapy has been shown to impact both tumor metabolism and immune modulation, often inducing immune activation through damage-associated molecular patterns and the STING pathway. In this study, we analyse the particular characteristics of the tumour metabolic microenvironment and its effect on the immune microenvironment. We also review the changes in the metabolic and immune microenvironment that are induced by radiotherapy, with a focus on metabolic sensitisation to the effects of radiotherapy. Our aim is to contribute to the development of research ideas in the field of radiotherapy metabolic-immunological studies.

Cytokine-mediated regulation of immune cell metabolic pathways in the tumor microenvironment

Cancer, an important global health problem, is defined by aberrant cell proliferation and continues to be the main cause of death globally. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in the development of cancer, resistance to therapy, and regulation of the immune response. Some immune cells in the TME, like T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells, can either stop or help tumor growth, depending on how metabolic and cytokine changes happen. Cytokines function as essential signaling molecules that modulate immune cell metabolism, altering their functionality. This review focuses on how cytokine-mediated metabolic reprogramming affects the activity of immune cells inside the TME, which can either make the immune response stronger or weaker. New ways of treating cancer that focus on metabolic pathways and cytokine signaling, such as using IL (Interleukin) - 15, IL- 10, and IL- 4, show promise in boosting immune cell activity and making cancer treatments more effective. Finding these pathways could lead to new ways to treat cancer with immunotherapy that focus on metabolic competition and immune resistance in the TME.

Metabolic reprogram and T cell differentiation in inflammation: current evidence and future perspectives

T cell metabolism and differentiation significantly shape the initiation, progression, and resolution of inflammatory responses. Upon activation, T cells undergo extensive metabolic shifts to meet distinct functional demands across various inflammatory stages. These metabolic alterations are not only critical for defining different T cell subsets, but also for sustaining their activity in inflammatory environments. Key signaling pathways-including mTOR, HIF-1α, and AMPK regulate these metabolic adaptions, linking cellular energy states with T cell fate decisions. Insights into the metabolic regulation of T cells offer potential therapeutic strategies to manipulate T cell function, with implications for treating autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and cancer by targeting specific metabolic pathways.

A pathogenic subpopulation of human glioma associated macrophages linked to glioma progression

Malignant gliomas follow two distinct natural histories: de novo high grade tumors such as glioblastoma, or lower grade tumors with a propensity to transform into high grade disease. Despite differences in tumor genotype, both entities converge on a common histologically aggressive phenotype, and the basis for this progression is unknown. Glioma associated macrophages (GAM) have been implicated in this process, however GAMs are ontologically and transcriptionally diverse, rendering isolation of pathogenic subpopulations challenging. Since macrophage contextual gene programs are orchestrated by transcription factors acting on cis -acting promoters and enhancers in gene regulatory networks (GRN), we hypothesized that functional populations of GAMs can be resolved through GRN inference. Here we show via parallel single cell RNA and ATAC sequencing that a subpopulation of human GAMs can be defined by a GRN centered around the Activator Protein-1 transcription factor FOSL2 preferentially enriched in high grade tumors. Using this GRN we nominate ANXA1 and HMOX1 as surrogate cell surface markers for activation, thus permitting prospective isolation and functional validation in human GAMs. These cells, termed malignancy associated GAMs (mGAMs) are pro-invasive, pro-angiogenic, pro-proliferative, possess intact antigen presentation but skew T-cells towards a CD4+FOXP3+ phenotype under hypoxia. Ontologically, mGAMs share somatic mitochondrial mutations with peripheral blood monocytes, and their presence correlates with high grade disease irrespective of underlying tumor mutation status. Furthermore, spatio-temporally mGAMs occupy distinct metabolic niches; mGAMs directly induce proliferation and mesenchymal transition of low grade glioma cells and accelerate tumor growth in vivo upon co-culture. Finally mGAMs are preferentially enriched in patients with newly transformed regions in human gliomas, supporting the view that mGAMs play a pivotal role in glioma progression and may represent a plausible therapeutic target in human high-grade glioma.

Mitochondria in tumor immune surveillance and tumor therapies targeting mitochondria

Mitochondria play a central role in cellular energy production and metabolic regulation, and their function has been identified as a key factor influencing tumor immune responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in understanding the role of mitochondria in tumor immune surveillance, covering both innate and adaptive immune responses. Specifically, it outlines how mitochondria influence the function of the tumor immune system, underscoring their crucial role in modulating immune cell behavior to either promote or inhibit tumor development and progression. Additionally, this review highlights emerging drug interventions targeting mitochondria, including novel small molecules with significant potential in cancer therapy. Through an in-depth analysis, it explores how these innovative strategies could improve the efficacy and outlook of tumor treatment.