Fig. 2. Tumors incapacitate anti-tumor immunity by regulating lipid metabolism.

The tumor itself creates a hyperlipidemic tumor microenvironment via cleavage of SREBP and the subsequent conversion of HMG-CoA into mevalonate. This tumor intrinsic-pathway elevates the uptake of oxidatively truncated lipids by overexpressing CD204 in dendritic cells and inhibits their cross-presentation by impeding the translocation of lysosomes with amassed pMHC. Prevention of lipid buildup in the dendritic cells may play a crucial role in anti-tumor immunity.

SREBP, sterol regulatory-element binding protein; HMG-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA; pMHC, peptide-MHC class I complexes.