Crosstalk between colorectal tumor metabolism and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) considerably affects global health, and its progression is intricately tied to interactions within the tumor microenvironment. This review focuses on the intricate crosstalk between metabolic reprogramming in CRC cells and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), thereby emphasizing the dual functionality of metabolic pathways in tumor growth and immune regulation. Furthermore, the review delves into key metabolic changes, including alterations in glucose, lipid, iron, and ammonia metabolism, and their profound effects on the immune landscape of CRC. Enhanced glycolysis and lipid metabolism facilitate tumor survival and proliferation, while establishing an immunosuppressive TIME that hinders effective immune responses. Moreover, the roles of iron and ammonia metabolism in immune evasion and tumor progression were explored, and these metabolic pathways presented as promising targets to improve CRC therapy. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of recent studies, this review provides insights into potential therapeutic targets within these metabolic interactions, with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of existing treatments and devising novel strategies for combating CRC.