Elucidating the molecular mechanism by which CD8+T cells are exhausted

CD8+ T cells, which can specifically attack cancer cells, play an important role in cancer immunotherapy. However, when CD8+ T cells are exhausted and become dysfunctional due to chronic cancer antigen stimulation, the effect of immunotherapy is reduced. In this study, we elucidate the molecular mechanism by which CD8+ T cells are exhausted in NSCLC by clarifying the roles of transcription factors Tbet, TOX1 and TOX2. Elucidation of the factors that control exhaustion and their mechanism of action will lead to the development of effective cancer immunotherapy targeting CD8+ T cells.