Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are chemical modifications that occur on specific amino acid residues after protein biosynthesis, which can affect protein function by altering protein structure, localization and activity, thus expanding protein diversity. Extensive research has demonstrated that PTMs can regulate various metabolic processes, such as glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as immune modulation in tumor cells, thereby promoting tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. In this article, we systematically review a class of emerging PTMs whose roles in tumor metabolism and immune regulation have gradually been recognized in recent years, including six types: lactylation, palmitoylation, SUMOylation, succinylation, crotonylation, and myristoylation. First, we summarized the occurrence process and biological behavior of these six PTMs. Next, we elaborate the relationship between these PTMs and tumorigenesis and progression from the perspectives of metabolism and immune regulation of tumor cells. Finally, we summarize recent research progress in targeting these six types of PTMs for cancer therapy. This paper aims to provide directions for related researchers, and to provide a theoretical basis for targeting PTMs to treat tumors and make it possible.

The cardiotoxicity during immunotherapy administration leads to mortality by more than 42% and heart disease–related mortality among immunotherapy-linked cancers is still considered to be underestimated. In this study, the advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with heart disease–related death was selected in accordance with immunotherapy approval time. NSCLC was searched on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Results show that 538 advanced NSCLC cases, those dominated by men and elderly people aged more than 70 years, had a high percentage of heart disease–related death in both eras. The difference between contemporary groups was fairly nonsignificant (P = > 0.05). The overall survival (OS) of all-cause mortality difference showed improved survival in the immunotherapy group (P = 0.0001). In the study of heart disease–related death survival with adjusted data, the NSCLC patients show significant lower survival in the immunotherapy era compared with the nonimmunotherapy era (P = 0.003; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.099–1.57). In the multivariate analysis of NSCLC-related immunotherapy, histology revealed that the non-squamous cell type had an independent risk for lower OS than the squamous cell type (P = 0.04; HR= 0.74; CI = 0, 55- 0.99). The results demonstrate the survival benefits for NSCLC in immunotherapy; however, in heart disease–related death, immunotherapy in patients with NSCLC shows decreased OS. This study highlights that NSCLC patients should be highly monitored during immunotherapy administration, and further assessment is needed.