The effects of age and systemic metabolism on anti-tumor T cell responses

Average age and obesity prevalence are increasing globally. Both aging and obesity are characterized by profound systemic metabolic and immunologic changes and are cancer risk factors. The mechanisms linking age and body weight to cancer are incompletely understood, but recent studies have provided...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:eLife 2020-11, Vol.9
Main Authors: Drijvers, Jefte M, Sharpe, Arlene H, Haigis, Marcia C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
aging
Aging - immunology
Analysis
Animals
Body weight
Cancer
Cancer Biology
cancer metabolism
Cancer research
Cancer treatment
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - physiology
Humans
Immune response
immunity
Immunity - immunology
Immunology and Inflammation
Immunotherapy
metabolism
Neoplasms - immunology
Neoplasms - metabolism
Obesity
Physiological aspects
Review
Risk factors
T cells
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
T-Lymphocytes - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Average age and obesity prevalence are increasing globally. Both aging and obesity are characterized by profound systemic metabolic and immunologic changes and are cancer risk factors. The mechanisms linking age and body weight to cancer are incompletely understood, but recent studies have provided evidence that the anti-tumor immune response is reduced in both conditions, while responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade, a form of cancer immunotherapy, is paradoxically intact. Dietary restriction, which promotes health and lifespan, may enhance cancer immunity. These findings illustrate that the systemic context can impact anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy responsiveness. Here, we review the current knowledge of how age and systemic metabolic state affect the anti-tumor immune response, with an emphasis on CD8 T cells, which are key players in anti-tumor immunity. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms may lead to novel therapies enhancing anti-tumor immunity in the context of aging or metabolic dysfunction.
ISSN:2050-084X
2050-084X
DOI:10.7554/eLife.62420