CELL INTELLIGENCE · 肿瘤细胞治疗研究

The role of T cells in antitumor responses has gained significant attention due to their major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent killing mechanisms, which are functionally distinct from conventional T cells.

Notably, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been identified as favorable prognostic markers in various cancers.

However, the TIL subsets, including V 1, V 2, and V 3, exhibit distinct prognostic implications and phenotypes within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, recent studies suggest that these subset-specific differences may arise from divergent activation pathways. V 1 TILs appear to be mainly activated by T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, whereas V 2 TILs seem to rely on alternative pathways, such as natural killer (NK) receptor-mediated activation.

In addition to phenotypic studies, cancer immunotherapies, such as engineered T cells, T-cell engagers, and TCR-based therapies, are under active development.

However, despite these advancements, functional heterogeneity and limited persistence within TME remain significant challenges. Overcoming these obstacles could position T-cell therapies as a transformative platform for cancer treatment.

Here, we review recent findings on the prognostic significance of human T cells, their phenotypic characteristics, and advances in T-cell therapies, offering valuable insights for the development of novel cancer immunotherapies.