Repurposing CD8+ T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 for cancer immunotherapy: a positive aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has afflicted most countries on the planet. As a result, immunity against SARS-CoV-2, induced via natural infections or imminent vaccinations, is expected to develop in a large fraction of the global population. Here, we propose to exploit SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells for cancer immunotherapy strategies.

Keywords

• sars-cov-2
• antiviral immunity
• cancer immunotherapy
• antigen spreading
• cd8+ t cell epitopes