Roles of CD4+T cells as mediators of antitumor immunity

It has been well established that CD8+ T cells serve as effector cells of the adaptive immune response against tumors, whereas CD4+ T cells either help or suppress the generation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. However, in several experimental models as well as in cancer patients, it has been shown that CD4+ T cells can also mediate antitumor immunity either directly by killing tumor cells or indirectly by activating innate immune cells or by reducing tumor angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss the growing evidence of this underappreciated role of CD4+ T cells as mediators of antitumor immunity.

Automated summary

It is well established that CD8+ T cells are effector cells in the adaptive immune response against tumors, while CD4+ T cells can either help or suppress the generation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. However, recent evidence has shown that CD4+ T cells can also play a role in antitumor immunity by directly killing tumor cells, activating innate immune cells, or reducing tumor angiogenesis.