Abstract
Tissue-resident memory T (T(RM)) cells are well reported as a strong protective first line of defense against foreign antigens in non-lymphoid tissues. Moreover, T(RM) cells have demonstrated critical protective roles in antitumor immunity, contributing to enhanced survival and tumor growth inhibition across various cancer types. However, surprisingly, recent studies suggest that T(RM) cells can exhibit paradoxical effects, potentially promoting tumor progression under certain conditions and leading to adverse outcomes during antitumor immune responses. Understanding the complexities of T(RM) cell functions will enable us to harness their potential in advancing cancer immunotherapy more effectively. Therefore, this review comprehensively investigates the dual roles of T(RM) cells in different tumor contexts, highlighting their protective functions in combating cancers and their unfavorable potential to exacerbate tumor development. Additionally, we explore the implications of T(RM) cell behaviors for future cancer treatment strategies, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize the therapeutic exploitation of T(RM) cells while mitigating their deleterious effects.