Senescent tumor CD8+ T cells: Mechanisms of induction and challenges to immunotherapy

Abstract

The inability of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes to eradicate tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major obstacle to successful immunotherapeutic treatments. Understanding the immunosuppressive mechanisms within the TME is paramount to overcoming these obstacles. T cell senescence is a critical dysfunctional state present in the TME that differs from T cell exhaustion currently targeted by many immunotherapies. This review focuses on the physiological, molecular, metabolic and cellular processes that drive CD8+ T cell senescence. Evidence showing that senescent T cells hinder immunotherapies is discussed, as are therapeutic options to reverse T cell senescence.