δT cells and CD8+ T cells targeting of breast cancer cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a very rare type of cells which causes metastasis in breast cancer. Their resistance to existing therapies makes effective treatment of breast cancer in later stages very difficult. Here researchers from Cardiff University did a study on their relationship with δT cells and CD8+ T cells to help develop new treatments.
The CSCs are developed with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and judged based on the CD44 hi/lo phenotype. With these cells, an immunotherapy treatment can be tested with expanded or genetically engineered T cells.

The researchers have found a synergism between γδT cells and CD8+T cells in the eradication of CSCs cells. This suggests that an approach with the combination of MHC-restricted and non-MHC-restricted may be beneficial for breast cancer patients. The paper also offers an interesting and useful tool to study CSC cells.