Most importantly, these effects translated <i>in vivo</i>: LAP3-overexpressing xenografts formed markedly smaller tumors in nude mice.<h4>Conclusions</h4>LAP3 appears to functionally link amino acid catabolism to immune communication in NSCLC, defining an epithelial-macrophage immunometabolic niche where metabolic activity may shape the immune contexture. Here, LAP3 is linked to non-small cell lung carcinoma.