Metabolic Reprogramming and Immune Evasion in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor of the nasopharynx mainly characterized by geographic distribution and EBV infection. Metabolic reprogramming, one of the cancer hallmarks, has been frequently reported in NPCs to adapt to internal energy demands and external environmental pressures. Inevitably, the metabolic reprogramming within the tumor cell will lead to a decreased pH value and diverse nutritional supplements in the tumor-infiltrating micro-environment incorporating immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Accumulated evidence indicates that metabolic reprogramming derived from NPC cells may facilitate cancer progression and immunosuppression by cell-cell communications with their surrounding immune cells. This review presents the dysregulated metabolism processes, including glucose, fatty acid, amino acid, nucleotide metabolism, and their mutual interactions in NPC. Moreover, the potential connections between reprogrammed metabolism, tumor immunity, and associated therapy would be discussed in this review. Accordingly, the development of targets on the interactions between metabolic reprogramming and immune cells may provide assistances to overcome the current treatment resistance in NPC patients.

Hallmarks of Metabolic Reprogramming and Their Role in Viral Pathogenesis

“…Lactate can also damage dendritic cells and inhibit monocyte migration, further aiding in the evasion of the immune system [ 248 , 249 , 250 , 251 ]. In addition to the acidification of the extracellular space, metabolites can also play roles in the evasion of the immune system through the inhibition of T-cells [ 252 ]. There are multiple ways metabolic reprogramming metabolites can affect T-cells; one way is through the alterations in differentiation through the effect of kynurenine, a product of tryptophan catabolism [ 253 ].…”

Hyaluronic Acid-Conjugated Fluorescent Probe-Shielded Polydopamine Nanomedicines for Targeted Imaging and Chemotherapy of Bladder Cancer

“…The drug loading contents of HR-PDD NPs were up to 25.1%. Abnormal metabolic pathways and high metabolic rates lead to the difference between the tumor microenvironment and the normal tissue microenvironment, such as lower pH. − In addition, some enzymes are overexpressed in tumor cells . Bladder cancer highly expresses hyaluronidase, which is related to tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. , The release behavior of DOX from nanoparticles was investigated in acidic and hyaluronidase solutions.…”

Mitochondrial-related genes markers that predict survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma affect immunomodulation through hypoxia, glycolysis, and angiogenesis pathways

“…Huang and associates postulated that metabolic shifts originating from nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells might foster tumor advancement and immunosuppression via intercellular discourse with adjacent immune cells. Crafting therapeutic targets at this metabolic-immune interface could herald novel treatment avenues for nasopharyngeal carcinoma [ 14 ]. Ergo, strategic manipulation of mitochondrial metabolism emerges as a promising therapeutic frontier for HNC.…”