Dynamic CD8⁺ T cell responses to cancer immunotherapy in human regional lymph nodes are disrupted in metastatic lymph nodes.

ABSTRACT: CD8⁺ T cell responses are critical for anti-tumor immunity. While extensively profiled in the tumor microenvironment, recent studies in mice identified responses in lymph nodes (LNs) as essential; however, the role of LNs in human cancer patients remains unknown. We examined CD8⁺ T cells in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, regional LNs, and blood using mass cytometry, single-cell genomics, and multiplexed ion beam imaging. We identified progenitor exhausted CD8⁺ T cells (Tpex) that were abundant in uninvolved LN and clonally related to terminally exhausted cells in the tumor. After anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, Tpex in uninvolved LNs reduced in frequency but localized near dendritic cells and proliferating intermediate-exhausted CD8⁺ T c

SUBMITTER: Rahim MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10348701 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature