Stem-like TCF1+CD8+ T cells are associated with improved survival in male glioblastoma patients.

Glioblastoma (GBM) exhibits a significant male bias, characterized by higher incidence and worse clinical outcomes. Tumor-intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including the immune system, contribute to these differences, yet the precise mechanisms and clinical implications remain elusive. We previously identified an increased frequency of stem-like/progenitor-exhausted TCF1+CD8+ T cells in male GBM mouse models and human patients, which may contribute to these sex differences. In this study, we sought to determine the clinical significance of stem-like TCF1+CD8+ T cells in GBM and their potential to influence survival outcomes in a sex-dependent manner.