AUTHOR=Chi Xiaoxia , Luo Shahang , Ye Peng , Hwang Wei-Lun , Cha Jong-Ho , Yan Xiuwen , Yang Wen-Hao 

TITLE=T-cell exhaustion and stemness in antitumor immunity: Characteristics, mechanisms, and implications

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1104771

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1104771

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>T cells play a crucial role in the regulation of immune response and are integral to the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Because immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for cancer, increasing attention has been focused on the differentiation and function of T cells in immune response. In this review, we describe the research progress on T-cell exhaustion and stemness in the field of cancer immunotherapy and summarize advances in potential strategies to intervene and treat chronic infection and cancer by reversing T-cell exhaustion and maintaining and increasing T-cell stemness. Moreover, we discuss therapeutic strategies to overcome T-cell immunodeficiency in the tumor microenvironment and promote continuous breakthroughs in the anticancer activity of T cells.</p>