Age- and diet-instructed metabolic rewiring of the tumor–immune microenvironment

The tumor–immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a critical role in tumor development and metastasis, as it influences the evolution of tumor cells and fosters an immunosuppressive state by intervening the metabolic reprogramming of infiltrating immune cells. Aging and diet significantly impact the metabolic reprogramming of the TIME, contributing to cancer progression and immune evasion. With aging, immune cell function declines, leading to a proinflammatory state and metabolic alterations such as increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which compromise antitumor immunity. Similarly, dietary factors, particularly high-fat and high-sugar diets, promote metabolic shifts, creating a permissive TIME by fostering tumor-supportive immune cell phenotypes while impairing the tumoricidal activity of immune cells. In contrast, dietary restrictions have been shown to restore immune function by modulating metabolism and enhancing antitumor immune responses. Here, we discuss the intricate interplay between aging, diet, and metabolic reprogramming in shaping the TIME, with a particular focus on T cells, and highlight therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways to empower antitumor immunity.