T cells are white blood cells that play a central role in the adaptive immune response.
Subsets and Function:
Cytotoxic T Cells (CD8+): Recognize and kill infected or malignant cells.
Helper T Cells (CD4+): Assist in orchestrating the immune response by secreting cytokines and supporting the functions of other immune cells.
T cells, particularly CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, can recognize tumor antigens presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and directly kill malignant cells.
Regulatory T Cells (Tregs): Maintain immune tolerance and prevent autoimmunity but may also suppress anti-tumor responses in the tumor microenvironment.
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs):
Tumor Microenvironment:
The presence of T cells within tumors, often referred to as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, is a key indicator of an ongoing anti-tumor immune response.
Regulatory T Cells (Tregs):
Tregs within the tumor environment may inhibit the activity of cytotoxic T cells through the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines (e.g., IL-10, TGF-β), thus allowing tumors to evade the immune response.
In many cancers, a robust T cell infiltrate is correlated with a better overall survival, lower rates of relapse, and improved responses to therapy.
Assessing the type, density, and activation state of T cells in the tumor microenvironment can provide valuable prognostic information. High levels of active, cytotoxic T cells generally indicate a better prognosis.
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