High CD38 expression defines a mitochondrial function-adapted CD8⁺ T cell subset with implications for lung cancer immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Despite identifying specific CD8⁺ T cell subsets associated with immunotherapy resistance, the molecular pathways driving this process remain elusive. Given the potential role of CD38 in regulating CD8⁺ T cell function, we aimed to investigate the accumulation of CD38⁺CD8⁺ T cells in lung cancer and explore its role in immunotherapy resistance. Phenotypic analysis of tumoral CD8⁺ T cells from both lung cancer patients and immunotherapy-resistant preclinical models revealed that CD38-expressing CD8⁺ T cells consist of CD38^hi and CD38^int subsets. These cells exhibited higher expression of exhaustion markers and displayed dysregulated mitochondrial bioenergetics. Notably, increased levels of CD38^hi

SUBMITTER: Lv LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11699171 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature