About this Research Topic
Unconventional T cells (UCTs) have emerged as a significant focus in the field of cancer immunotherapy, given their unique ability to recognize non-peptide antigens such as lipids and small-molecule metabolites. While conventional T cells, particularly CD8 and CD4 subsets, have been extensively studied for their roles in tumor progression and therapy, UCTs, including CD1-restricted T cells, MR1-restricted mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells), natural killer T cells (NKT), and γδ T cells, offer a novel perspective on immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have highlighted the plasticity and complexity of UCTs, suggesting their dual role in both promoting and inhibiting tumor progression. Despite these insights, the intricate interactions between UCTs, cancer cells, and other immune populations remain underexplored, presenting a critical gap in our understanding of their potential in cancer therapy. Addressing these gaps is essential for harnessing UCTs in innovative cancer immunotherapy strategies.
This research topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding unconventional T cells in cancer progression and treatment. It seeks to explore the phenotypic heterogeneity and functionalities of UCTs, elucidate the molecular and cellular pathways regulating their activation and impairment within the tumor microenvironment, and understand the mechanisms underlying their dual roles in tumor progression, metastasis, and immune surveillance. Additionally, the research will focus on identifying novel biomarkers and advanced methods for UCT detection and cancer prognosis, as well as developing innovative therapeutic approaches targeting these cells to enhance cancer immunotherapy.
To gather further insights into the role of unconventional T cells in cancer development and therapy, we welcome Original Research and Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Advancements in understanding the function and heterogeneity of UCTs in the cancer microenvironment.
- Development and validation of innovative methodologies for identifying novel biomarkers of UCTs, including spectral cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and TCR repertoire analysis.
- Exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting UCTs, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy or combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- Discussion of current challenges and perspectives in UCT-based immunotherapy research and clinical application.
This research topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding unconventional T cells in cancer progression and treatment. It seeks to explore the phenotypic heterogeneity and functionalities of UCTs, elucidate the molecular and cellular pathways regulating their activation and impairment within the tumor microenvironment, and understand the mechanisms underlying their dual roles in tumor progression, metastasis, and immune surveillance. Additionally, the research will focus on identifying novel biomarkers and advanced methods for UCT detection and cancer prognosis, as well as developing innovative therapeutic approaches targeting these cells to enhance cancer immunotherapy.
To gather further insights into the role of unconventional T cells in cancer development and therapy, we welcome Original Research and Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Advancements in understanding the function and heterogeneity of UCTs in the cancer microenvironment.
- Development and validation of innovative methodologies for identifying novel biomarkers of UCTs, including spectral cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and TCR repertoire analysis.
- Exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting UCTs, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy or combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- Discussion of current challenges and perspectives in UCT-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
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.
