Multifunctional Role of Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation in Cancer Immunotherapy and Aging.

Recent studies have demonstrated the intricate relationship between tumor immunity, aging, and inflammation. Mitochondrial activity is one of the major connection hubs of this physiological interplay. Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is a center of the mitochondrial metabolic pathway and plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysfunction in mitochondrial FAO leads to an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributing to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This persistent inflammatory stress not only accelerates aging but also impairs immune surveillance, facilitating tumor progression. Modulation of mitochondrial FAO reprograms the metabolism of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages, thereby impacting anti-tumor immunity. Understanding these interconnected pathways offers potential therapeutic avenues to enhance cancer immunotherapy and mitigate inflammation.