Mucosal-associated invariant T cells recognize a tumor-derived metabolite in the DNA synthesis pathway - Scorecard - MDSpire

Mucosal-associated invariant T cells recognize a tumor-derived metabolite in the DNA synthesis pathway

  • By

  • Yanqi Xue

  • Yuka Yamada

  • Rikako Suzuki

  • Brenda Luong

  • Shotaro Fujii

  • Keisuke Nakata

  • Masatomo Takahashi

  • Yoshihiro Izumi

  • Chihiro Fukui

  • Ryosuke Takasaki

  • Francois Legoux

  • Shinsuke Inuki

  • Daisuke Motooka

  • Emi Ito

  • Bridget L. Stocker

  • Mattie S. M. Timmer

  • Takashi Shimizu

  • Yasumasa Matsuoka

  • Jun’ichi Mano

  • Koji Tamada

  • Makoto Furutani-Seiki

  • Kei Sakamoto

  • Koh-Hei Sonoda

  • Olivier Lantz

  • Sho Yamasaki

  • Kensuke Shibata

  • June 24, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Mucosal-associated invariant T cells detect a metabolite from tumors involved in the DNA synthesis pathway

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionCancer
Key MechanismsMAIT cells recognize tumor-derived metabolite 5-formyl THF, an intermediate in folate metabolism, leading to TCR-dependent activation.
Target PopulationPatients with cancer
Care SettingCancer immunotherapy research

Key Highlights

  • 5-formyl THF is identified as the first tumor-derived ligand recognized by MAIT cells.
  • Activation of MAIT cells by 5-formyl THF is TCR-dependent.
  • Genetic deletion of Amt impairs MAIT cell activation in tumors.
  • MAIT cell activity can be enhanced by overexpression of Amt in tumors.
  • A human MAIT cell clonotype reactive to 5-formyl THF was identified.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

    Management

      Monitoring & Follow-up

        Risks

          Patient & Prescribing Data

          Patients with tumors expressing 5-formyl THF

          Understanding the role of MAIT cells in tumor immunity may inform future immunotherapeutic strategies.

          Clinical Best Practices

          • Investigate the role of MAIT cells in tumor microenvironments.
          • Explore the therapeutic potential of targeting MAIT cell activation pathways.

          Related Resources & Content

            Original Source(s)

            Mucosal-associated invariant T cells recognize a tumor-derived metabolite in the DNA synthesis pathway

            • by Yanqi Xue, Yuka Yamada, Rikako Suzuki, Brenda Luong, Shotaro Fujii, Keisuke Nakata, Masatomo Takahashi, Yoshihiro Izumi, Chihiro Fukui, Ryosuke Takasaki, Francois Legoux, Shinsuke Inuki, Daisuke Motooka, Emi Ito, Bridget L. Stocker, Mattie S. M. Timmer, Takashi Shimizu, Yasumasa Matsuoka, Jun’ichi Mano, Koji Tamada, Makoto Furutani-Seiki, Kei Sakamoto, Koh-Hei Sonoda, Olivier Lantz, Sho Yamasaki, Kensuke Shibata

            • June 24, 2026

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