Trogocytosis at crossroads: Navigating the duality in tumor-immune cell interactions

Abstract

Trogocytosis, derived from the Greek “trogo-,” meaning “nibble,” is a cellular process in which one cell extracts membrane fragments and surface molecules from another, modulating the functions of both donor and recipient cells. In tumor immunology, trogocytosis between immune cells and tumor cells exhibits paradoxical effects. Conflicting reports suggest it can enhance antitumor effects through processes like trogoptosis, antigen presentation, and beneficial antigen shaving, while facilitating protumor effects by antigen masking, immune cell exhaustion, immune cell fratricide, and detrimental antigen shaving. In this review, we discuss recent insights in trogocytosis between immune cells (T cells, natural killer cells, neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, chimeric antigen receptor cells, and antigen-presenting cells) and tumor cells, summarize the distinct interaction patterns and characteristics, and highlight its dual role in enhancing anti-tumor immunity and facilitating tumor immune evasion. Additionally, we explore the strategies to exploit trogocytosis in immunotherapy, aiming to deepen insights into immune-tumor interactions and to improve therapeutic outcomes.