Delving Into the Dialogue between Epigenetic Modifications and Immunometabolism in Cancer

Abstract

Tumor immunometabolism and epigenetic modifications are intricately linked in reshaping the tumor microenvironment, with their crosstalk offering novel insights into cancer biology. Nutrient deprivation and metabolic byproducts drive metabolic reprogramming in immune cells, where metabolites act as epigenetic modulators to regulate immune-related gene expression and influence immune cell activation, differentiation, and functional states. The cellular complexity, dynamic interactions, and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment pose significant challenges to current studies. Emerging technologies such as single-cell sequencing, spatial omics, and artificial intelligence provide powerful tools to address these complexities. This perspective discusses the crosstalk between tumor immunometabolism and epigenetic modifications, while also exploring how the emerging technologies may advance mechanistic insights and therapeutic innovation in this field.