Targeting the kynurenine pathway: another therapeutic opportunity in the metabolic crosstalk between cancer and immune cells

Introduction

Drug resistance in cancer remains a formidable challenge in modern oncology, severely limiting the efficacy of treatments across a wide spectrum of malignancies. Resistance mechanisms are multifaceted, often involving genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations, or modifications in signaling pathways that protect cancer cells from cytotoxic agents. These mechanisms vary from tissue to tissue and within tumor types in the same tissue. Hence, while treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy initially showed promise, the emergence of resistant tumor cells decreased therapeutic effectiveness.

These developments increase the challenges in the application of therapies to the most appropriate patient cohort, treatment combination, and timing. This challenge is exemplified in cisplatin, one of the most used chemotherapy drugs. Initially effective in treating a variety of solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian, and bladder cancers, cisplatin’s effectiveness diminishes as tumor cells develop mechanisms to evade its cytotoxic effects. These mechanisms include enhanced DNA repair capabilities, increased efflux of the drug, and profound alterations in cellular metabolism promoting tumor survival (1, 2).

The reprogramming of cellular metabolism was proposed as a common type of tumor resistance decades ago, but the complexities and uniqueness of certain alterations in a tissue specific manner have only been described in the last decade. Altered metabolism has now emerged as a central factor in cancer resistance, particularly as tumors shift metabolic reliance to sustain growth after treatment. Based on these concepts, our lab has extensively investigated and characterized tumor metabolic pathways in hypoxic [hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1α)] and normoxic (oxidative phosphorylation) conditions (3–5). This work led to the reporting of various metabolic components that tumor cells relied on for survival. One metabolic pathway that gained attention for promoting survival under treatment pressures is the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation (6, 7). By degrading tryptophan into immunosuppressive metabolites like kynurenine, cancer cells create an environment that suppresses the activity of effector immune cells. This promotes the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) (8–10), enabling cancer cells to escape immune surveillance and contributing to therapy resistance.

This perspective review will explore the latest advances in targeting metabolic crosstalk with a particular focus on inhibiting the tryptophan-catabolized KP. We will discuss why current therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting this crosstalk often fail and propose ways to enhance anti-tumor immunity and overcome drug resistance, offering a promising pathway for developing new cancer treatments.

The role of the kynurenine pathway in cancer metabolism

Tryptophan (TRP) is an essential amino acid required for protein synthesis as a precursor to serotonin and melatonin (11, 12). However, the majority of TRP (about 99%) not used for protein synthesis—is broken down via the kynurenine pathway (KP) to generate kynurenine (KYN) (13). The KP pathway involves rate-limiting key enzymes, including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2). The first step in the pathway is the conversion of tryptophan to N-formyl kynurenine by either IDO1, TDO, or IDO2. N-formyl kynurenine is then rapidly converted into kynurenine, which serves as the precursor for several biologically active metabolites, such as kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, and anthranilic acid (14).

In cancer, IDO1 is overexpressed and has been linked to poor prognosis in several tumor types, including lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers (15). Studies also showed significantly shorter survival among patients with high expression of IDO1 or TDO2 (16). The overexpression of IDO1/TDO2 and the consequent accumulation of KYN suppress anti-tumor immunity by promoting the differentiation of Tregs and MDSCs, which in turn, inhibit the activity of effector CD8+T cells and NK cells (Figure 1A). We found that the key driver of this inhibition is the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent IDO1 activity, rather than IDO1 expression (17). Cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cells possessed higher basal levels of ROS when compared to cisplatin-sensitive cells. Together, this immunosuppressive environment facilitates tumor immune evasion and contributes to the resistance of immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Figure 1. Molecular effects of IDO/TDO signaling. (A) The IDO1 enzyme catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan into kynurenine, an oncometabolite. Kynurenine production contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), facilitating cancer progression as well as suppressing ferroptosis. (B) TDO2 can potentially compensate when IDO1 is inhibited, suggesting that effective targeting may require simultaneous inhibition of both IDO and TDO to overcome this compensatory mechanism and reduce immunosuppression in the TME (C).

Beyond its role in immune evasion, the KP also supports cancer cell survival and proliferation by supplying essential metabolic intermediates. KYN can activate signaling pathways that promote cancer cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. KYN has been shown to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a transcription factor involved in cell growth and immune regulation (18). This activation promotes tumor growth, so we investigated inhibition in this context. Indeed, exposure to AHR inhibitors (DMF or CH-223191) resulted in the suppression of IDO1 activities, whereas the addition of KYN increased IDO1 activity in cisplatin-resistant cells (17).

Kynurenine–hypoxia inducible-1α – aryl hydrocarbon receptor axis

ARNT (AHR nuclear translocator) or HIF1β (hypoxia-inducible factor 1β) is a known binding partner of both HIF1α and AHR (Figure 2) (19, 20). We reported that HIF1α levels are low in cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cells. Downregulation of HIF1α allows ARNT to preferentially bind with activated AHR rather than HIF1, shifting the metabolic balance towards AHR-driven pathways (17, 21). This pathway enhances immune suppression by increasing FoxP3 (master regulator in the development and function of Tregs) expression and creating an immunosuppressive TME. The extensive characterization of these molecular pathways in lung cancer has led us to promote the concept that the components of these paths could be therapeutic targets helping eliminate resistant cells.

Figure 2. The IDO1-KYN-AHR axis and its role in promoting immunosuppression. (A) HIF1α and HIF1β facilitate the transcription of genes essential for glucose metabolism and cell proliferation/survival. (B) In cisplatin-resistant cells, increased KYN serves as a ligand for AHR, which becomes activated and translocated to the nucleus. Metabolic reprogramming in resistant cells leads to HIF1α downregulation, allowing ARNT to preferentially bind with activated AHR. This switch to AHR-driven pathways enhances the expression of immunosuppressive genes, fostering tumor immune evasion. (C) Targeting KYN could potentially reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), offering a therapeutic strategy to enhance antitumor immunity.

Minhas et al. recently reported that IDO1 is upregulated in response to amyloid and tau pathology in astrocytes, leading to increased production of kynurenine (KYN); these findings are consistent with our model (Figure 2B). This upregulation activates AHR and disrupts the balance between AHR and HIF1α signaling in astrocytes, suppressing astrocytic glycolysis and reducing lactate production. Astrocytic glycolysis is essential for neuronal support and disrupting this metabolic pathway contributes to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (22).

In both cancer and neurodegeneration, the IDO1/TDO2-KYN-AHR axis is central to metabolic alterations and immune evasion, highlighting its significance as a therapeutic target. This disruption of normal cellular metabolism and promotion of an immune-suppressive environment makes the KP a possible therapeutic target for both cancerous and neurodegenerative conditions.

Kynurenine and immune evasion: mechanistic insights

The immune system’s ability to recognize and eliminate tumor cells is a critical component of effective cancer therapy (ICIs and others). In certain patients with tumors that escape immune surveillance, treatment is not effective. One of the central mechanisms by which tumors achieve this immune evasion is through the induction of IDO1 activity and the subsequent depletion of tryptophan and accumulation of kynurenine (Figure 1A) (23, 24).

Tryptophan depletion alone has significant effects on immune cell function since T cells, particularly effector T cells, are highly sensitive to tryptophan availability. In low tryptophan conditions, T cell proliferation is inhibited, and cells become functionally anergic. Moreover, kynurenine directly inhibits T cell proliferation and induces the differentiation of naïve T cells into Tregs, further suppressing the immune response (25–27). Tryptophan depletion and the resultant kynurenine accumulation favor immunosuppression over activation in the TME.

IDO1 and kynurenine also promote the expansion of MDSCs, a population of immune cells that suppresses both innate and adaptive immune responses (Figure 1A). MDSCs inhibit the activation of effector T cells and NK cells; additionally, they produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide, which inhibit T cell receptor signaling and promote tumor progression (28, 29). Higher ROS levels generated by MDSCs may also further enhance IDO1 activity.

Crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells in the TME

The metabolic crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells in the TME is a key determinant of tumor progression and therapy resistance. By reprogramming their metabolism, cancer cells create an environment that is hostile to immune effector cells but supportive of immunosuppressive cells. This crosstalk can be mediated by a variety of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, glutamine metabolism, and the KP.

In addition to the direct effects of TRP depletion and KYN accumulation on immune cells, cancer cells also engage in metabolic competition with immune cells. Effector T cells, for example, rely on glycolysis to support their rapid proliferation and production of cytokines (30). However, in the nutrient-deprived environment of the TME, cancer cells outcompete T cells for glucose, limiting the availability of this critical nutrient for immune cell function (31–33). Similarly, cancer cells’ reliance on glutamine for the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle also depletes the available glutamine for immune cell activity.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this metabolic crosstalk is the role of kynurenine in the ferroptosis of cancer cells, a form of programmed cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides. KYN has an anti-ferroptosis effect that not only supports cancer cell survival but also creates an environment that is resistant to oxidative stress, further promoting immune evasion and drug resistance. Ferroptosis is regulated by the cystine/glutamate antiporter system (xCT), which imports cystine into cells in exchange for glutamate (34). Cystine is then reduced to cysteine, which is required for the synthesis of glutathione, a critical antioxidant that protects cells from ferroptosis. Unlike apoptosis, which is often inhibited in cancer cells, ferroptosis is regulated by the availability of cysteine and the function of the xCT antiporter. By disrupting the cystine/glutamate exchange, cancer cells can be sensitized to ferroptosis, making it an interesting and promising new target for therapy (34, 35).

KYN has been shown to inhibit ferroptosis by upregulating the expression of xCT, thereby enhancing cystine import and glutathione synthesis (34, 36, 37). This protects cancer cells from oxidative stress and ferroptosis (37). By inhibiting the kynurenine pathway, it may be possible to disrupt this protective mechanism and re-sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis, offering a new avenue for cancer therapy (Figure 1B). Preclinical studies have shown that combining ferroptosis inducers with KP inhibitors can enhance the anti-tumor effects of both therapies. In a recent study by Fiore et al., inhibition of IDO1 sensitized cancer cells to ferroptosis, leading to increased cell death in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo (37) by inducing cell death and enhancing the immune response.

Inhibition of IDO1 and TDO2: a promising therapeutic strategy

The failure of single-agent IDO1 inhibitors, such as epacadostat, in clinical trials highlighted the limitations of targeting a single enzyme in the kynurenine pathway (Table 1). One of the key challenges is the compensatory upregulation of other enzymes, such as TDO2, which can maintain kynurenine production in the presence of IDO1 inhibitors (Figure 1B) (26, 38). To overcome this challenge, researchers have begun exploring the potential of dual inhibitors targeting both IDO1 and TDO2 (Figure 1C), thereby reducing the likelihood of compensatory metabolic pathways sustaining kynurenine production (39, 40).

Table 1. IDO1 and TDO therapies in clinical development.

In our recent preclinical studies, dual inhibition of IDO1 and TDO2 with the novel agent AT-0174 effectively reduced KYN levels, increased tumor infiltration with natural killer cells, and reduced regulatory T cells in cisplatin-resistant lung cancer models (38). In these studies, dual inhibition of IDO1 and TDO2 as monotherapy was similarly effective on overall survival as anti-PD1 monotherapy. Moreover, AT-0174 was synergistic when combined with anti-PD1 therapy on significant reduction of tumor growth, enhanced infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the TME, and improved survival time in animal models of treatment-resistant NSCLC tumors. This combination therapy not only reduced the immunosuppressive effects of KYN but also promoted immune-mediated tumor clearance.

These mechanisms were further substantiated in an aggressive model of glioblastoma where AT-0174 monotherapy increased natural killer cell infiltration, reduced Treg cells in tumor tissues, and was synergistic with Temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent, in significantly prolonging animal survival (41). Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain cancer with limited treatment options and rapid resistance development to TMZ. These results suggest that AT-0174 administered at the time of Temozolomide initiation may, through synergistic mechanisms, aid in immune-mediated elimination of emergent tumor variants with resistance to Temozolomide, thereby improving patient survival.

In another study of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), which is known to exhibit poor outcomes due to therapy resistance and an immunosuppressive TME, Crump et al. reported that HGSC tumors are driven predominantly by TDO2 in promoting tumor progression and immune evasion via kynurenine (KYN) production. High IL6 levels, linked to poor prognosis, correlate with elevated KYN in patient samples. Dual inhibition of IDO1/TDO2 using AT-0174 reduced tumor growth, diminished tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and suppressed PD-L1 expression. Cisplatin in combination with AT-0174 extended survival in preclinical models (42).

Together, these studies highlighted the potential of metabolic reprogramming of the TME to overcome immunotherapy resistance and provide a basis for advancing dual IDO1/TDO2 inhibitors in clinical settings.

Clinical trials

The first dual IDO1 and TDO2 inhibitor Phase I clinical trial (NCT03306420) was completed with 15 enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors (43). Another potent dual-inhibitor, AT-0174, is currently being tested across multiple sites in an initial clinical trial (ACTRN12623000956606), evaluating the efficacy in patients also with advanced metastatic solid cancers with promising preliminary results (Figure 3) (44). M4112, another IDO1/TDO2 inhibitor, did not present any serious safety concerns at doses up to 800 mg twice daily, though the best overall response observed was stable disease in nine patients (60%) with a progression-free survival of 3.7 months; it is noteworthy, however, that most of these patients had tumor types that are typically unresponsive to immunotherapy (43, 45). Unfortunately, due to the early termination of the study, neither the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) nor the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was established. Another limitation of this study was that patient tumor biopsies were not obtained, but now, a KYN antibody is commercially available that could have been used to conduct immunohistochemistry staining. Therefore, neither changes in IDO/TDO expression nor changes in the tumor microenvironment could be evaluated. The termination of this study points to the potential for the appropriate patient cohort to have been investigated, possibly by characterizing patient KYN levels prior to treatment.

Figure 3. A historical timeline tracing research milestones on the physiology of IDO and TDO. It highlights key discoveries in the understanding of these enzymes’ roles, particularly in immune regulation and cancer, and the development of inhibitors targeting IDO/TDO pathways to explore therapeutic potential.

While the final results from the ACTRN trial are still pending, findings from the NCT trial suggest that dual inhibition of IDO1 and TDO2 may enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies by reversing the immunosuppressive environment created by the KP. Therefore, further research into the pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy of dual inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is of prime importance and warrants further investigation.

Inhibition of the kynurenine pathway combined with immune checkpoint blockade

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 antibodies, have revolutionized the treatment of certain cancers by unleashing the immune system to attack tumor cells. However, many patients do not respond to these therapies, particularly those with tumors that have developed mechanisms of immune evasion. One of the primary mechanisms of immune evasion is the upregulation of the kynurenine pathway, which suppresses the activation and proliferation of effector immune cells (10, 46).

By combining KP inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade, it may be possible to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy in these resistant tumors. Inhibiting the KP restores tryptophan levels and reduces the accumulation of immunosuppressive metabolites, thereby allowing effector T cells to proliferate and attack the tumor. Preclinical studies from our group and others have demonstrated that dual inhibition of IDO1 and TDO2, especially when combined with anti-PD1 therapy, can significantly improve survival in mouse models of lung cancer (47, 48). This combination therapy not only reduces tumor growth but also enhances the immune response, leading to durable tumor regression.

Future directions

While the KP represents a promising therapeutic target, it is unlikely that a one-size-fits-all approach will be effective for all patients. The expression of IDO1, TDO2, and other enzymes in the kynurenine pathway varies widely among different tumor types and even among patients with the same type of cancer (49–52). Testing (e.g. KYN levels) and additional characterization of expression levels in sensitive and resistant tumor types is warranted among all patient populations. Therefore, personalized approaches that tailor therapy based on specific metabolic tumor profiles are likely to be more effective in improving outcomes. Biomarker-driven approaches could help identify patients who are most likely to benefit from KP inhibitors and other combination therapies. Future clinical trials should evaluate the use of new and existing tests to assess biomarkers, such as IDO1/TDO2 expression and kynurenine levels, to guide treatment decisions. Another logical combination treatment could involve the use of AHR inhibitors to suppress IDO1 activities.

While preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of targeting the KP to overcome drug resistance, translating these findings into clinical practice will require carefully designed trials. One of the key challenges in clinical translation is identifying the optimal combination of therapies that can effectively target the kynurenine pathway while minimizing toxicity. Combining IDO1/TDO2 inhibitors with ICIs has shown promise in preclinical models, but the safety and efficacy of this combination need to be validated in clinical trials.

Conclusion

Mechanisms of cancer resistance mediated by metabolic alterations point to the kynurenine pathway as a critical metabolic axis in the TME that supports cancer cell survival and immune evasion. By targeting and decreasing the metabolic crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells, particularly through dual inhibition of IDO1 and TDO2, new therapeutic strategies can be developed to overcome drug resistance and improve patient outcomes. These targets can not only be used to identify tumors that may be sensitive to inhibitors but also offer the potential for combining kynurenine pathway inhibition with immune checkpoint blockade as a promising approach to treating resistant cancers. As research into the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells continues to evolve, the kynurenine pathway will likely remain a key target for future therapeutic interventions.

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Author contributions

MW: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. GT: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Validation, Writing – review & editing. IK: Formal analysis, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work is supported by the BLR&D Merit Review Award (2I01BX004371) to MW and the South FL VA Foundation Research & Education fund to MW.

Conflict of interest

AT-0174 was manufactured and provided for study by Antido Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Generative AI statement

The author(s) declare that no Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.

Publisher’s note

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