Multiomics profiling reveals the benefits of gamma-delta (γδ) T lymphocytes for improving the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis in cervical cancer - Research paper abstract

Sep 21, 2026

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Unconventional γδ T cells can recognize antigens independently of major histocompatibility complex restrictions, yet their roles in cervical cancer remain insufficiently defined. Using a multiomics strategy integrating single-cell and bulk transcriptomics, whole exome sequencing, genotyping arrays, immunohistochemistry, and MRI, the study links γδ T-cell infiltration heterogeneity to the tumor somatic mutational landscape. Higher γδ T-cell levels associate with improved prognosis, stronger immune-activation features, and greater responsiveness to immunotherapies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages15

Reading Time38 min

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Abstract

Background

Methods

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What this study adds

Open access Original research To cite: Li J, Cao Y, Liu Y, et al. Multiomics profiling reveals the benefits of gamma-delta (γδ) T lymphocytes for improving the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis in cervical cancer. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2024;12:e008355 . doi:10.1136/jitc-2023-008355 ► Additional supplemental material is published online only. To view, please visit the journal online ([http://dx.doi.org/10](http://dx.doi.org/10) . 1136/jitc-2023-008355 ) . JL, YC, YL and LY contributed equally. Accepted 13 December 2023 © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. For numbered affiliations see end of article. Correspondence to Professor Zhiyong Yuan; [zyuan@tmu.edu.cn](zyuan@tmu.edu.cn) Dr Jie Chen; [tjcjvip@126.com](tjcjvip@126.com) Multiomics profiling reveals the benefits of gamma-delta (γδ) T lymphocytes for improving the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis in cervical cancer Junyi Li ,1 Yuanjie Cao,1 Yancheng Liu,1 Lu Yu,1 Zhen Zhang,2,3 Xiaofeng Wang,1 Hui Bai,1 Yuhan Zhang ,1 Shaochuan Liu,1 Miaomiao Gao,1 Chenglu Lu,4 Chen Li,1 Yong Guan,1 Zhen Tao,1 Zhiqiang Wu,1 Jie Chen,1 Zhiyong Yuan 1 ABSTRACT Background As an unconventional subpopulation of T lymphocytes, γδ T cells can recognize antigens independently of major histocompatibility complex restrictions. Recent studies have indicated that γδ T cells play contrasting roles in tumor microenvironments—promoting tumor progression in some cancers (eg, gallbladder and leukemia) while suppressing it in others (eg, lung and gastric). γδ T cells are mainly enriched in peripheral mucosal tissues. Asthe cervix is a mucosa-rich tissue, the role of γδ T cells in cervical cancer warrants further investigation. Methods We employed a multiomics strategy that integrated abundant data from single-cell and bulk transcriptome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, genotyping array, immunohistochemistry, and MRI. Results Heterogeneity was observed in the level of γδ T-cell infiltration in cervical cancer tissues, mainly associated with the tumor somatic mutational landscape. Definitely, γδ T cells play a beneficial role in the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. First, γδ T cells exert direct cytotoxic effects in the tumor microenvironment of cervical cancer through the dynamic evolution of cellular states at both poles. Second, higher levels of γδ T-cell infiltration also shape the microenvironment of immune activation with cancersuppressive properties. We found that these intricate features can be observed by MRI-based radiomics models to non-invasively assess γδ T-cell proportions in tumor tissues in patients. Importantly, patients with high infiltration levels of γδ T cells may be more amenable to immunotherapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors and autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies, than to chemoradiotherapy. Conclusions γδ T cells play a beneficial role in antitumor immunity in cervical cancer. The abundance of γδ T cells in cervical cancerous tissue is associated with higher response rates to immunotherapy. BACKGROUND γδ T cells represent an unconventional and infrequent subset of T cells, accounting for WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC | ⇒ γδ T cells play a tumor-promoting or tumorsuppressing role in a variety of cancers. The results of studies based on cell lines or animal models are divergent in their understanding of the role of γδ T cells in the microenvironment of cervical cancer.
WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS | | --- | | ⇒ In patients with cervical cancer, γδ T cells play a role in suppressing tumor progression mainly through direct cytotoxicity and shaping the immune-activated microenvironment. Compared with chemoradiotherapy, patients with high levels of γδ T-cell infiltration may benefit more from immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhi

FAQs

What question does the study address about γδ T cells in cervical cancer?

It investigates how γδ T cells influence cervical cancer by examining their infiltration patterns and relationships with the tumor microenvironment, treatment efficacy, and patient prognosis.

How were γδ T cells and tumor features analyzed in the study?

The study used an integrated multiomics approach combining single-cell and bulk transcriptome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, genotyping arrays, immunohistochemistry, and MRI.

What did the study find about the clinical impact of γδ T-cell infiltration?

Higher γδ T-cell infiltration was associated with better prognosis, more immune-activated microenvironment features, and improved amenability to immunotherapies compared with chemoradiotherapy.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Logic