IL-7R licenses a population of epigenetically poised memory CD8 T cells with superior antitumor efficacy that are critical for melanoma memory.

Recurrence of advanced melanoma after therapy is a major risk factor for reduced survival, and treatment options are limited. Antitumor immune memory plays a critical role in preventing melanoma recurrence and memory T cells could be a potent cell-based therapy, but the identity, and functional properties of the required immune cells are incompletely understood. Here, we show that an IL-7R tumor-specific CD8 population is critical for antitumor memory and can be epigenetically augmented to drive powerful antitumor immune responses.

PD-1 maintains CD8 T cell tolerance towards cutaneous neoantigens.

The peripheral T cell repertoire of healthy individuals contains self-reactive T cells. Checkpoint receptors such as PD-1 are thought to enable the induction of peripheral tolerance by deletion or anergy of self-reactive CD8 T cells. However, this model is challenged by the high frequency of immune-related adverse events in patients with cancer who have been treated with checkpoint inhibitors.

A Novel Potential Role for Monocytes Revealed by Single Cell Analysis of Immunotherapy Induced Immune Related Adverse Events.

Immune related adverse events (irAEs) are one of the leading causes of discontinuation of cancer immunotherapy treatment. Despite extensive research into the frequency and types of irAEs, little is known about the cell types and pathways through which these drugs cause the observed side effects. To identify cell types and pathways of interest, we have analyzed single cell sequencing data of PBMCs from patients who developed skin irAEs as a result of their immunotherapy treatment.