Intratumoral CXCR5+CD8+T associates with favorable clinical outcomes and immunogenic contexture in gastric cancer

Abstract

Studies that examined an association between CD8⁺T and prognosis in gastric cancer are inconsistent, and a distinct population of CXCR5⁺CD8⁺T associated with better overall survival has been reported among various malignancies. Here, we show that the abundance of intratumoral CXCR5⁺CD8⁺T cells is associated with better overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. Patients with TNM II + III gastric cancer with higher intratumoral CXCR5⁺CD8⁺T cell infiltration are more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Microsatellite-unstable and Epstein-Barr virus positive tumors are enriched with CXCR5⁺CD8⁺T cells. Gastric cancer infiltrating CXCR5⁺CD8⁺T cells represent a specific subtype of stem-like CD8⁺T with effector memory feature. Identification of the clinical significance and phenotype of gastric cancer infiltrating CXCR5⁺CD8⁺T provides a roadmap for patient stratification and trials of targeted therapies.