Metabolic regulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor immune microenvironment: targets and therapeutic strategies

Cancer remains a major challenge to global public health, with rising incidence and high mortality rates. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex system of immune cells, fibroblasts, extracellular matrix (ECM), and blood vessels that form a space conducive to cancer cell proliferation. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are abundant in tumors, and they drive immunosuppression through metabolic reprogramming in the TME. This review describes how metabolic pathways such as glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and adenosine metabolism have a significant impact on the function of MDSCs by regulating their immunosuppressive activity and promoting their survival and expansion in tumors. The review also explores key metabolic targets in MDSCs and strategies to modulate MDSC metabolism to improve the tumor immune microenvironment and enhance anti-tumor immune responses. Understanding these pathways can provide insight into potential therapeutic targets for modulating MDSC activity and improving outcomes of cancer immunotherapies.