In the field of cancer immunotherapy, unconventional T cells (UCTs) and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells have emerged as promising areas of research due to their unique abilities to recognize and target cancer cells. Unlike conventional T cells, which are limited to recognizing peptide antigens, UCTs can recognize a broader range of antigens, including lipids and small-molecule metabolites, offering a novel perspective on immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Specific subsets of UCTs, such as CD1-restricted T cells, MR1-restricted mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells), natural killer T cells (NKT), and γδ T cells, exhibit complex and dynamic roles in cancer progression. With the rise of CAR-T cell therapy targeting specific cancer antigens, integrating UCTs with CAR technology could revolutionize therapeutic strategies, yet the interactions between these cell types, cancer cells, and other immune populations need further exploration.
This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the roles of UCTs and CAR-T cells in cancer progression and treatment.
The focus is on uncovering the phenotypic heterogeneity and functional attributes of UCTs, understanding molecular and cellular pathways that regulate their activation and impairment within the tumor microenvironment, and elucidating their potential synergistic effects with CAR-T cells. It also seeks to delve into the mechanisms underlying UCTs' dual roles in tumor progression, metastasis, and immune surveillance, while identifying novel biomarkers and methods for their detection in cancer prognosis. Furthermore, the development of innovative therapies targeting these cells aims to enhance the efficacy and scope of cancer immunotherapy.
To gather further insights into the involvement of unconventional T cells and CAR-T cells in cancer therapy, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Advancements in understanding the role and heterogeneity of UCTs and CAR-T cells within the cancer microenvironment.
- Development and validation of innovative methodologies for identifying novel biomarkers, such as spectral cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and TCR repertoire analysis.
- Exploration and development of CAR-T cell therapies targeting UCTs, including combination approaches with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- Examination of current challenges and future perspectives in UCT and CAR-T cell-based immunotherapy research and clinical application.
Keywords: Unconventional T cells, Cancer immunotherapy, Tumor immune microenvironment, MAIT cells, NKT cells, γδ T cells, CD1d-restricted cells, CAR-T cells
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
