Mini-reviewT-cell immunometabolism against cancer

•Activated and naïve T cells, respectively, show anabolic and catabolic metabolism.•CD4+ effector T cells show distinct metabolic programming in anti-tumor immunity.•T-cell metabolism may alter the inhospitable tumor microenvironment.•T-cell studies may lead to effective adoptive cellular immunotherapies for cancer.

T cells play critical roles in host defenses against cancer. External signals prompt activation of naïve T cells, triggering modulation of their immune functions. Emerging evidence reveals that distinct metabolic changes impact the immune functions of naïve and effector T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Since T cells appear to be key players in tumor progression, it is important to elucidate whether and how T-cell metabolic reprogramming might alter their impact on cancer progression. Here we briefly review the available knowledge regarding T cells in relation to cancer, focusing on the metabolic reprogramming of T cells and how this influences tumor progression. Emerging insights in this field are improving our understanding of the functional role of T-cell metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Further research could provide a critical foundation for new treatments targeting cancer metabolism.