Description
L-tryptophan (L-Trp) is an essential amino acid necessary for protein synthesis in mammalian cells and the L-Trp to kynurenine (Kyn) pathway is firmly established as a key regulator of innate and adaptive immunity. Catabolism of L-Trp to Kyn maintains an immunosuppressive microenvironment by starving immune cells of L-Trp and releasing degradation products of L-Trp that have immunosuppressive functions. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenases (IDO1 & IDO2) and Tryptophan 2,3 dioxygenase (TDO) are upregulated in many tumors, providing cancer cells with an avenue for immune evasion