Metabolic Reprogramming of T Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment
Dra. (MD) Monica Cristina Carrasco
Universidad de Carabobo, Venezuela
Keywords: Oxidative stress, metabolic reprogramming, T cell exhaustion, cancer immunotherapy, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells
Abstract
This paper investigates the impact of oxidative stress on the metabolic reprogramming of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its implications for cancer immunotherapy. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupt mitochondrial function, leading to impaired energy production and T cell exhaustion, which in turn reduces the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and adoptive cell transfer (ACT). The study proposes therapeutic strategies, including antioxidant therapy and metabolic modulators, to restore T cell functionality and enhance their antitumor activity. These findings highlight the potential for metabolic reprogramming to reinvigorate exhausted T cells and improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.
Author Biography
Dra. (MD) Monica Cristina Carrasco, Universidad de Carabobo, Venezuela
