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Stereotactic Adoptive Transfer of Cytotoxic Immune Cells in Murine Models of Orthotopic Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Xenografts
Published on: September 1, 2018
γδ T cells as a potential therapeutic agent for glioblastoma
In Kang1, Yumin Kim2, Heung Kyu Lee1,2
1Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Although γδ T cells comprise a small population of T cells, they perform important roles in protecting against infection and suppressing tumors. With their distinct tissue-localizing properties, combined with their various target recognition mechanisms, γδ T cells have the potential to become an effective solution for tumors that do not respond to current therapeutic procedures. One such tumor, glioblastoma (GBM), is a malignant brain tumor with the highest World Health Organization grade and therefore the worst prognosis. The immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune-evasive glioma stem cells are major factors in GBM immunotherapy failure. Currently, encouraged by the strong anti-tumoral function of γδ T cells revealed at the preclinical and clinical levels, several research groups have shown progression of γδ T cell-based GBM treatment. However, several limitations still exist that block effective GBM treatment using γδ T cells. Therefore, understanding the distinct roles of γδ T cells in anti-tumor immune responses and the suppression mechanism of the GBM TME are critical for successful γδ T cell-mediated GBM therapy. In this review, we summarize the effector functions of γδ T cells in tumor immunity and discuss current advances and limitations of γδ T cell-based GBM immunotherapy. Additionally, we suggest future directions to overcome the limitations of γδ T cell-based GBM immunotherapy to achieve successful treatment of GBM.
Insights
Gamma delta (γδ) T cells show promise for treating glioblastoma (GBM). Overcoming the tumor microenvironment
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are crucial for anti-infection and anti-tumor immunity.
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis, often resistant to current therapies.
- The GBM tumor microenvironment (TME) is immunosuppressive, hindering effective immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anti-tumor functions of γδ T cells.
- To discuss the advances and limitations of γδ T cell-based GBM immunotherapy.
- To identify future directions for overcoming GBM treatment challenges.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on γδ T cells and GBM.
- Analysis of γδ T cell effector functions in tumor immunity.
- Examination of GBM TME characteristics and immune evasion strategies.
Main Results:
- γδ T cells possess unique properties for targeting tumors, including glioblastoma.
- Current γδ T cell-based GBM therapies face limitations due to the immunosuppressive TME and immune-evasive glioma stem cells.
- Understanding γδ T cell roles and GBM TME suppression mechanisms is critical for therapeutic success.
Conclusions:
- γδ T cells hold significant therapeutic potential for glioblastoma.
- Further research is needed to overcome existing limitations in γδ T cell-mediated GBM immunotherapy.
- Optimizing γδ T cell therapy requires addressing the challenges posed by the GBM tumor microenvironment.
