Resident memory T cells and cancer

Abstract

Tissue-resident memory T (T_RM) cells positively correlate with cancer survival, but the anti-tumor mechanisms underlying this relationship are not understood. This review reconciles these observations, summarizing concepts of T cell immunosurveillance, fundamental T_RM cell biology, and clinical observations on the role of T_RM cells in cancer and immunotherapy outcomes. We also discuss emerging strategies that utilize T_RM-phenotype cells for patient diagnostics, staging, and therapy. Current challenges are highlighted, including a lack of standardized T cell nomenclature and our limited understanding of relationships between T cell markers and underlying tumor biology. Existing findings are integrated into a summary of the field while emphasizing opportunities for future research.