Progress of research on γδ T cells in colorectal cancer (Review)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent malignancy and second leading cause of cancer‑related fatalities worldwide. Immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy has a favorable survival benefit for patients with CRC. Unlike αβ T cells, which are prone to drug resistance, γδ T cells do not exhibit major histocompatibility complex restriction and can target tumor cells through diverse mechanisms. Recent research has demonstrated the widespread involvement of Vδ1T, Vδ2T, and γδ T17 cells in tumorigenesis and progression. In the present review, the influence of different factors, including immune checkpoint molecules, the tumor microenvironment and microorganisms, was summarized on the antitumor/protumor effects of these cells, aiming to provide insights for the development of more efficient and less toxic immunotherapy‑based anticancer drugs.