A Brief Review on the Metabolic Evasion Mechanisms of Tumor Cells Against T Cells

Immunotherapy based on T cells has greatly developed over the years. However, tumor cells can evolve many tumor evasion mechanisms that render them refractory to T-cell effector activities. Tumor evasion strategies involving immunological mechanisms have been largely discussed; nonetheless, the hostile microenvironment generated by tumor masses must also be taken into account. Among these hostile conditions are nutrient deprivation, production of toxic metabolites, and hypoxia, all of which induce T cell dysfunction. This minireview provides a perspective of the tumor evasion mechanisms on T cells where both the metabolism and the microenvironment play a role.