Targeting γδ T Lymphocytes for Cancer Immunotherapy: From Novel Mechanistic Insight to Clinical Application

Abundant interferon-gamma secretion, potent cytotoxicity, and major histocompatibility complex-independent targeting of a large spectrum of tumors make gamma delta T cells attractive mediators of cancer immunotherapy. However, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor cell recognition and gamma delta T-cell activation is required to improve the limited success of gamma delta T-cell-mediated treatments. Here, we review key advances in basic knowledge made over the past 3 years, and summarize the results of gamma delta T-cell-based clinical trials concluded to date. We also highlight new research directions on the basis of the modulation of receptors that control the function of gamma delta T cells. Cancer Res; 70(24); 10024-7. (C) 2010 AACR.