A multi-institutional study led by researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and UC San Diego has uncovered new genetic rules that determine how powerful immune cells—known as CD8 killer T cells—choose between becoming long-lasting, protective defenders or slipping into exhausted, dysfunctional states. The findings reveal new strategies for sustaining immune memory while preserving the ability to fight cancer and infections, with broad implications for immunotherapy and infectious disease research.
CD8 killer T cells play a central role in immune defense by seeking out and destroying virus-infected cells and cancer cells. However, during chronic infections or within tumors, these cells can gradually lose their killing ability…