Disrupting a converging metabolic target turns up the immunologic-heat in pancreatic tumors

J Clin Invest. 2020 Jan 2;130(1):71-73. doi: 10.1172/JCI133685.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are classically immunologically cold tumors that have failed to demonstrate a significant response to immunotherapeutic strategies. This feature is attributed to both the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and limited immune cell access due to the surrounding stromal barrier, a histological hallmark of PDACs. In this issue of the JCI, Sharma et al. employ a broad glutamine antagonist, 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), to target a metabolic program that underlies both PDAC growth and hyaluronan production. Their findings describe an approach to converting the PDAC TME into a hot TME, thereby empowering immunotherapeutic strategies such as anti-PD1 therapy.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal*
  • Hexosamines
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms*
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Hexosamines