Rerouting glucose metabolism of therapeutic T-cells for cancer: live longer, perform better.

Abstract

A significant barrier to the success of adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) in cancer treatment is the inadequate persistence of T-cells following infusion. In vitro T-cell expansion is a crucial component of ACTs; therefore, preconditioning during culture may enhance their in vivo survival and therapeutic efficacy. Here, we discuss a recent article by Greg Delgoffe and colleagues that was published in Cell Metabolism in April 2025, providing evidence that pharmacologic metabolic rewiring of activated T-cells during in vitro expansion enhances their engraftment postinfusion and improves cellular immunotherapies.