Abstract:

Title:

Metabolic Reprogramming in the Tumor Microenvironment Supports Cancer Growth and Immune Evasion

Solid tumors are pseudo-organs comprised of a heterogenous population of malignant cells embedded in a complex stroma. This is known as the tumor microenvironment and consists of blood vessels, immune cells, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix. The tumor microenvironment is often hypoxic, nutrient scarce, and immune rich, and it can act to both constrain and promote tumor growth. Accordingly, the malignant cells rewire metabolic programs to support growth, progression, and immune evasion. The Shah and Lyssiotis lab are interested in understanding how hetero-cellular communication between the microenvironment and cancer cells enables nutrient acquisition, metabolism, redox demands and immune cell alterations for tumor progression.