Fig. 3
From: Amino acid metabolism reprogramming: shedding new light on T cell anti-tumor immunity
The mechanism diagram illustrates targets for targeted amino acid metabolism and immunotherapy. Amino acid degrading enzymes can deplete extracellular amino acid pools. Amino acid transport inhibitors inhibit amino acid transport into cells. Amino acid antagonists and inhibitors of amino acid metabolizing enzymes can inhibit amino acid metabolism and exert biological functions. Kyn degrading enzyme and AhR antagonist inhibit the toxic effects of Kyn on T cells from upstream and downstream, respectively. mTOR or GCN2 inhibitors can enhance efficacy in combination with drugs that target amino acid metabolism. The use of amino acid metabolism in ICB or CAR-T therapy can enhance immunotherapy efficacy. Abbreviations: ARG, arginase; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; PTEN, phosphatqase and tensin homologue; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase; ONOO-, peroxynitrite; ICB, immune checkpoint block; CAR, chimeric antigen receptor