The Dynamic Entropy of Tumor Immune Infiltrates: The Impact of Recirculation, Antigen-Specific Interactions, and Retention on T Cells in Tumors

Analysis of tumor infiltration using conventional methods reveals a snapshot view of lymphocyte interactions with the tumor environment. However, lymphocytes have the unique capacity for continued recirculation, exploring varied tissues for the presence of cognate antigens according to inflammatory triggers and chemokine gradients. We discuss the role of the inflammatory and cellular makeup of the tumor environment, as well as antigen expressed by cancer cells or cross-presented by stromal antigen presenting cells, on recirculation kinetics of T cells. We aim to discuss how current cancer therapies may manipulate lymphocyte recirculation versus retention to impact lymphocyte exclusion in the tumor.

Automated summary

Traditional methods of analyzing tumor infiltration provide a snapshot view of lymphocyte interactions with the tumor environment. However, lymphocytes have the unique ability for continued recirculation, exploring various tissues for cognate antigens based on inflammatory triggers and chemokine gradients. The inflammatory and cellular makeup of the tumor environment, as well as antigen expression by cancer cells or cross-presentation by stromal antigen presenting cells, impact the recirculation kinetics of T cells.