Fasting opens a metabolic window that favors anti-tumor immunity.

Cai, Ling; Dai, Tao · Cell Metab · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Short-term fasting reshapes the metabolic landscape of the tumor microenvironment, creating a transient window of altered nutrient availability that cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells can exploit. Chen and colleagues report that intratumoral isoleucine accumulation during fasting supports T cell effector programs, enhancing responses to immune checkpoint blockade in mice and humans.

Medical subject headings