CD8 T cell exhaustion in chronic infection and cancer: opportunities for interventions
Antigen-specific CD8 T cells are central to the control of chronic infections and cancer, but
persistent antigen stimulation results in T cell exhaustion. Exhausted CD8 T cells have
decreased effector function and proliferative capacity, partly caused by overexpression of
inhibitory receptors such as programmed cell death (PD)-1. Blockade of the PD-1 pathway
has opened a new therapeutic avenue for reinvigorating T cell responses, with positive
outcomes especially for patients with cancer. Other strategies to restore function in …
persistent antigen stimulation results in T cell exhaustion. Exhausted CD8 T cells have
decreased effector function and proliferative capacity, partly caused by overexpression of
inhibitory receptors such as programmed cell death (PD)-1. Blockade of the PD-1 pathway
has opened a new therapeutic avenue for reinvigorating T cell responses, with positive
outcomes especially for patients with cancer. Other strategies to restore function in …
