The role of gamma/delta T cells in the tumor microenvironment of CRC (P14)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 540805631

While CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are well studied, much less is known about the function of γδT cells in the context of CRC pathogenesis. Considering that γδT cells do not require conventional MHC-dependent antigen presentation, P14 proposes that γδT cells influence tumor progression. γδT cells were found to be enriched at the invasive front of colorectal tumors while demonstrating efficient killing of CRC cells in vitro. Employing primary and metastatic patient-derived organoids and human γδT cells from healthy donors and tumor patients, γδT cell function will be explored in ex vivo co-culture and in humanized mice.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 417: Cellular Communication in the Stroma of Colorectal Cancer: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Translation
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Heads: Privatdozentin Dr. Rebecca Kesselring; Professorin Susana Minguet, Ph.D.