Résumé
The tumor immune microenvironment contributes to tumor initiation, progression and response to therapy. Among the immune cell subsets that play a role in the tumor microenvironment, innate-like T cells that express T cell receptors composed of gamma and delta chains (gamma delta T cells) are of particular interest. Indeed, gamma delta T cells contribute to the immune response against many cancers, notably through their powerful effector functions that lead to the elimination of tumor cells and the recruitment of other immune cells. However, their presence in the tumor microenvironment has been associated with poor prognosis in various solid cancers (breast, colon and pancreatic cancer), suggesting that gamma delta T cells also display pro-tumor activities. In this review, we outline the current evidences of gamma delta T cell pro-tumor functions in human cancer. We also discuss the factors that favor gamma delta T cell polarization toward a pro-tumoral phenotype, the characteristics and functions of such cells, and the impact of pro-tumor subsets on gamma delta T cell-based therapies.