Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in cancer and cancer immunotherapy

Abstract The functions of, and interactions between, the innate and adaptive immune systems are vital for anticancer immunity. Cytotoxic T cells expressing cell-surface CD8 are the most powerful effectors in the anticancer immune response and form the backbone of current successful cancer immunotherapies. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors are designed to target immune-inhibitory receptors that function to regulate the immune response, whereas adoptive cell-transfer therapies use CD8 + T cells with genetically modified receptors—chimaeric antigen receptors—to specify and enhance CD8 + T-cell functionality. New generations of cytotoxic T cells with genetically modified or synthetic receptors are being developed and…