Work

A Narrative Review of Nanomedicine in Cancer Therapy: Modulating Metabolic Reprogramming to Enhance Immunotherapy

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Background: Metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells interacts with functional alterations of immune cells to establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which constrains the efficacy of immunotherapy. Nanomedicine provides technical approaches for targeted delivery and controlled release of metabolic modulators. Main Text: This review outlines major nanocarriers and their design principles, dissects the crosstalk among glucose, amino acid and lipid metabolism, and illustrates how nutrient competition and metabolic byproducts shape antitumor immune responses. It focuses on summarizing advances in nanodelivery strategies targeting these metabolic pathways and their combinatorial application with immunotherapy. Conclusion: Nanomedicine-mediated metabolic intervention holds promise for remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment. However, tumor cells and effector T cells share partial metabolic requirements, and nonselective inhibition may impair antitumor immunity. Improving the cell selectivity of interventions and validating long-term safety and clinical benefits represent key considerations for future translational research.

Source: International Journal of Nanomedicine

DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s650413

Authors: Hongpeng Wu, Fengyi Wang, Wei Sun, Hao Zhang

Institution: First Hospital of China Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836