IL8 derived from macrophages inhibits CD8+ T-cell function by downregulating TIM3 expression through IL8-CXCR2 axis in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

The immunosuppressive effects of IL8 on TIM3 expression and CD8+ T-cell function were reversed by anti-IL8 and anti-CXCR2 antibodies. IL8 suppresses TIM3 expression on CD8+ T cells and CD8+ T-cell function and proliferation through interacting with CXCR2. This study suggests that IL8/CXCR2 may be a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.