Immune Effects of γδ T Cells in Colorectal Cancer: A Review

Front Immunol. 2020 Sep 9:11:1600. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01600. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells can effectively recognize and kill colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, thereby suppressing tumor progression via multiple mechanisms. They also have abilities to exert a protumor effect via secreting interleukin-17 (IL-17). γδ T cells have been selected as potential immunocytes for antitumor treatment because of their significant cytotoxic activity. Immunotherapy is another potential anti-CRC strategy after an operation, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. γδ T cell-based immunotherapy for CRC shows fewer side effects and better toleration. This review will outline the immune functions and the mechanisms of γδ T cells in the growth and progression of CRC in recent years, and summarize the immunotherapies based on γδ T cells, thus providing a direction for future γδ T cells in CRC research.

Keywords: antitumor effects; colorectal cancer; immunotherapy; protumor effects; γδ T cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / immunology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Disease Susceptibility* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / adverse effects
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / complications
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / etiology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / metabolism
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Escape / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta