About this Research Topic

Background

The field of cancer immunotherapy is rapidly evolving, with a growing interest in the role of gamma delta (γδ T) cells. These cells, which make up 1-10% of the T cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), are unique in their ability to kill cancer cells independently of MHC-class I-mediated antigen presentation. This characteristic aligns them with natural killer (NK) cells, offering a potential therapeutic advantage for cancer patients with defective NK cells. Despite their promise, the full potential of γδ T cells in cancer cell-based therapies remains underexplored. Recent studies have highlighted their potential as effector cells in cancer therapy, yet there is a need for more comprehensive research to understand their biology, expansion methodologies, and clinical applications. Current gaps include a lack of standardized protocols for γδ T cell preparation and limited clinical trial data, underscoring the necessity for further investigation into their therapeutic efficacy and safety.

This research topic aims to elucidate the role of γδ T cells in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their preparation and application in cell-based therapies. The primary objectives include exploring the biological mechanisms of γδ T cells, developing novel expansion and activation methodologies, and evaluating their effectiveness in clinical settings. Key questions include how γδ T cells can be optimized for therapeutic use and what their potential is when used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments.

To gather further insights in the application of γδ T cells in cancer immunotherapy, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Biological mechanisms and functions of γδ T cells in cancer therapy
- Novel methodologies for the expansion and activation of γδ T cells
- Clinical trial studies and case reports on γδ T cell-based therapies
- Combination therapies involving γδ T cells and other cancer treatments
- Challenges and opportunities in the clinical application of γδ T cells
- Comparative studies between γδ T cells and other immune cell therapies

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: γδ T cells, cancer immunotherapy, T cells, advancement in γδ T cells-based cancer therapies, clinical trials, case reports

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.

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