The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (9): 1525-1535.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.09.006

• Oncology: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention • Previous Articles    

Research advances in mechanisms of tryptophan metabolic reprogramming-driven tumor immune escape and immune sensitization therapy of traditional chinese medicine

Wenjie ZHANG1,Shuo SUN2,Zhiyue REN2,Yumeng GONG1,Youzhi SUN2,Yi ZHAO1()   

  1. 1.Research Center for Differentiation and Development of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Nanchang 330004,Jiangxi,China
    2.Formula-Syndrome Research Center,Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Nanchang 330004,Jiangxi,China
  • Received:2026-01-06 Online:2026-05-10 Published:2026-04-29
  • Contact: Yi ZHAO E-mail:zhysyz2008@163.com

Abstract:

As a crucial hub that links immune dysregulation and tumor progression, tryptophan metabolism has emerged as a transdisciplinary frontier in cancer research. This review initially delineates the functional heterogeneity of tryptophan-catabolizing enzymes and their molecular pathways that govern immune cell dynamics in the tumor microenvironment (TME) through dual mechanisms: tryptophan depletion and kynurenine (KYN) accumulation. Subsequently, by concentrating on the metabolic characteristics of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, glioma, and epithelial ovarian cancer, we systematically analyze the histotype-specific reprogramming of tryptophan metabolism. Finally, we assess the regulatory effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) active ingredients (monomers and compound formulas) on reshaping the TME by targeting tryptophan metabolic pathways. This review aims to offer mechanistic and translational insights for surmounting tumor metabolic adaptation barriers and enhancing immunotherapy efficacy.

Key words: tryptophan metabolic reprogramming, kynurenine pathway, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, tumor immune escape, programmed death-ligand 1, immune sensitization therapy of traditional Chinese medicine

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