Targeting immunometabolism in cancer through pharmacological and lifestyle interventions
Abstract
Immunometabolism, a fundamental biogenic process that supports the function of immune cells, is often disrupted in diseases such as cancer. Tackling metabolic dysregulation at a cellular level has therefore emerged as a focus in drug development. However, as cellular metabolic rewiring takes place in response to both intrinsic factors, which can be targeted pharmacologically, and environmental changes, which cannot, fostering a homeostatic systemic metabolism through diet, exercise, and stress management is essential to support and sustain cellular fitness. This Essay conceptualizes immunometabolism as a process that can be regulated intrinsically and extrinsically and explores the potential for incorporating lifestyle changes and drug therapies that target immunometabolism into treatments for cancer.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Immune cells in cancer
Cancer
Hypoxia
and Metabolism
Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
Publication details
- Journal / source
- PLoS Biology
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e3003617–e3003617
- Publication date
- 20 January 2026
- Language
- EN