Deletion of MyD88 in T Cells Improves Antitumor Activity in Melanoma.

Cytotoxic CD8 T cells are central to the antitumor immune response by releasing cytotoxic granules that kill tumor cells. They are activated by antigen-presenting cells, which become activated by DAMPs (damage associated molecular patterns) through MyD88. However, the suppressive tumor microenvironment promotes T-cell tolerance to tumor antigens, in part by enhancing the activity of immune checkpoint molecules that prevent CD8 T-cell activation and cytotoxicity.