Regulation and impact of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells in cancer and immunotherapy

Abstract

CD4⁺ T cells are crucial in generating and sustaining immune responses. They orchestrate and fine-tune mammalian innate and adaptive immunity through cell-based interactions and the release of cytokines. The role of these cells in contributing to the efficacy of antitumor immunity and immunotherapy has just started to be uncovered. Yet, many aspects of the CD4⁺ T cell response are still unclear, including the differentiation pathways controlling such cells during cancer progression, the external signals that program them, and how the combination of these factors direct ensuing immune responses or immune-restorative therapies. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding CD4⁺ T cell regulation during cancer progression and the importance of CD4⁺ T cells in immunotherapies.

Keywords: CD4(+) T cell; CD8 T cell; T regulatory cell; antigen presenting cell; cancer; dysfunction; exhaustion; immunotherapy; tumor immunology.