Antimetastatic defense by CD8 T cells

Metastasis is an intricate process whereby tumor cells migrate from the primary tumor, survive in the circulation, seed distal organs, and proliferate to create metastatic foci. CD8 +T cells can detect and eliminate tumor cells. Research on CD8 +T cell–dependent antitumor immunity has classically focused on its role in the primary tumor. There is increasing evidence, however, that CD8 +T cells have unique antimetastatic functions in various steps of the metastatic cascade. Here, we review the mechanisms whereby CD8 +T cells control metastatic lesions. We discuss their role in each step of metastasis, metastatic dormancy, and metastatic clonal evolution as well as the consequent clinical repercussions.…