Genomic and epigenomic perspectives of T-cell exhaustion in cancer

Abstract

In chronic infection and cancer, T cells gradually become exhausted because of the persistent stimulation by antigens. In this process, the overexpression of multiple inhibitory receptors is induced, the production of effective cytokines decreases and the cytotoxicity and proliferation of T cells impairs, all contributing to the failure of T cells in fighting against cancer. Reversing T-cell exhaustion is a promising immunotherapy for cancer that has yielded encouraging results. In this review, we discuss the genomic and epigenomic landscape of T-cell exhaustion in cancer. Also, we introduce the relevant therapeutic interventions for T-cell exhaustion in clinical trials.

Keywords: T-cell exhaustion; cancer; epigenomics; genomics; immunotherapy.