Metabolic regulation of the bone marrow microenvironment in leukemia

Blood Rev. 2021 Jul:48:100786. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100786. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

Abstract

Most leukemia patients experience little benefit from immunotherapy, in part due to the immunosuppressive bone marrow microenvironment. Various metabolic mechanisms orchestrate the behaviors of immune cells and leukemia cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. Furthermore, leukemia cells regulate the bone marrow microenvironment through metabolism to generate an adequate supply of energy and to escape antitumor immune surveillance. Thus, the targeting of the interaction between leukemia cells and the bone marrow microenvironment provides a new therapeutic avenue. In this review, we describe the concept of the bone marrow microenvironment and several important metabolic processes of leukemia cells within the bone marrow microenvironment, including carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. In addition, we discuss how these metabolic pathways regulate antitumor immunity and reveal potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Bone marrow microenvironment; Immunotherapy; Leukemia; Metabolic regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow / metabolism*
  • Bone Marrow / pathology*
  • Disease Management
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Surveillance
  • Leukemia / etiology
  • Leukemia / metabolism*
  • Leukemia / pathology*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / immunology