Harnessing the Power of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cells in Cancer Cell Therapy

Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a burgeoning type of the innate-like T cells, play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis, particularly in host defense. Although many studies have implied the use of MAIT cells in tumor immunity, whether MAIT cells are pro-tumor or anti-tumor has remained elusive, as in the case for other innate-like T cells that possess dichotomous roles in tumor immunity. Although this difficulty persists where endogenous MAIT cells are the target for therapeutic intervention, the advent of induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived MAIT cells (reMAIT cells) will make it possible to harness these cells for immune cell therapy. In this review, we will discuss possible roles of MAIT cells in tumor immunity and the potential of reMAIT cells to treat tumors.

Mucosal-associated invariant T cells in cancer: dual roles, complex interactions and therapeutic potential

“…The resulting MAIT-iPSC clones demonstrated pluripotency through various tests and were differentiated into MAIT-like lymphocytes using a two-step protocol ( 103 ). More recently, it was proposed that iPSC-derived Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells in tumor immune cell therapy or prophylaxis may prevent relapse ( 104 ). While phenotypic and functional characteristics of reprogrammed MAIT cells do not fully mirror those of PBMC-derived MAIT cells ( 103 ), this innovative approach further aims to address the limitations associated with the ex vivo expansion of MAIT cells, such as the restricted numbers obtained after expansion compared to the ex vivo expansion of all T cells.…”