Abstract
Innate T cells, comprising invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, gamma delta T (γδ T) cells, and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, constitute a vital component of the immune system, playing a central role in cancer immunosurveillance and immune response modulation. Mounting evidence underscores the critical involvement of innate T cells in cancer development, progression, and therapeutic outcomes. This comprehensive chapter presents an in-depth exploration of the diverse roles of innate T cells in cancer, encompassing their antitumor functions, immunoregulatory capabilities, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Mechanisms employed by innate T cells to recognize and target cancer cells, including direct cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and immune checkpoint regulation, are discussed. Additionally, this chapter examines the impact of innate T-cell dysfunction and exhaustion in tumor immune evasion and resistance to therapy. The chapter further addresses emerging strategies leveraging the potential of innate T cells for cancer immunotherapy, including the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered innate T cell-based approaches. Finally, the challenges and future prospects in targeting innate T cells to enhance cancer immunotherapies are outlined, offering valuable insights to pave the way for innovative and effective cancer treatment modalities.
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Acknowledgment
We thank Dr. Lili Yang from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), for her insightful discussion. Y.-R.L. is supported by a UCLA MIMG M. John Pickett Postdoctoral Fellow Award and a CIRM-BSCRC Postdoctoral Fellowship.
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Chen, Y., Zhu, Y., Li, YR. (2024). The Role of Innate T Cells in Cancer. In: Rezaei, N. (eds) Handbook of Cancer and Immunology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80962-1_365-1
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