Metabolic Reprogramming and Immune Modulation in the Tumor Microenvironment: From Mechanisms to Immunotherapy Enhancement
A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biology and Oncology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 35
Special Issue Editor
2. California Comprehensive Allergy and Food Institute, P.C., (CalCafi, P.C.), San Diego, CA 92131, USA
3. Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
Interests: cancer metabolism; immunity; microenvironment therapeutics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cancer metabolism fundamentally shapes the tumor microenvironment (TME) through the production of immunomodulatory metabolites, nutrient competition, and oxygen/pH alterations—creating immunosuppressive niches that promote therapeutic resistance. Tumor-resident immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells also undergo metabolic reprogramming, which determines their pro- or anti-tumor function. This metabolic–immunological interplay critically determines immunotherapy success, including checkpoint inhibitor efficacy. Understanding these mechanistic links offers unprecedented opportunities to reprogram the TME and enhance anti-tumor immunity. We invite you to contribute your latest discoveries addressing this vital intersection of metabolic oncology and tumor immunology.
This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive collection of original research articles and reviews elucidating how metabolic reprogramming orchestrates immune modulation within the TME and to showcase innovative therapeutic strategies that enhance immunotherapy efficacy and overcome treatment resistance. This collection will integrate mechanistic discoveries, preclinical validation, biomarker development, and translational approaches across diverse cancer types, directly aligning with Biomedicines journal's mission to advance biomedical knowledge through innovative therapeutic interventions and translational research.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Cancer cell metabolic reprogramming and TME composition/function;
- Tumor-derived metabolites and immunomodulatory effects (lactate, succinate, kynurenine, and tryptophan metabolites);
- Metabolic competition and nutrient depletion (glucose, amino acids, and lipids) in immune dysfunction;
- Hypoxia-driven metabolic plasticity and immunosuppression;
- Cancer-associated fibroblast metabolism and immune remodeling;
- Metabolic regulation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, regulatory T cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells;
- Cancer stem cells, metabolic dormancy, and immunotherapy resistance;
- Nutrigenomic and epigenetic approaches targeting metabolic enzymes for immune enhancement;
- Checkpoint inhibitor resistance mechanisms and metabolic contributions;
- Combination therapies integrating metabolic modulators with immunotherapeutic agents;
- Biomarker profiling for metabolic–immune phenotypes and therapy prediction;
- Preclinical models (3D cultures, organoids, and xenografts) for metabolism–immunity studies;
- Drug repurposing for metabolic–immune modulation;
- Clinical and translational studies bridging metabolic profiling with immunotherapy outcomes.
I/we look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Reza Bayat Mokhtari
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- cancer metabolism
- tumor microenvironment
- immune modulation
- immunotherapy resistance
- metabolic reprogramming
- immunosuppression
- combination therapy
- biomarkers
- metabolic plasticity
- anti-tumor immunity
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