Perspective Chapter: Impact of Tumor Metabolism on Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment

Metabolism is essential for a cell to obtain energy for its growth and development. In tumors, the rapid rate of cell proliferation leads to an increased demand for energy. Because nutrients in the tumor microenvironment are scarce, there is great competition between tumor cells and healthy cells to obtain them. Because of this, tumor cells undergo adaptations to outcompete healthy cells for nutrients. These adaptations cause characteristic changes to the tumor microenvironment, which in turn, causes changes to immune cells in the tumor tissue. These changes help the tumor evade immune detection and cause tumor growth and metastasis. This review will analyze the changes that take place in the tumor microenvironment, the impact they have on immune cells, and how this contributes to cancer progression.