Supercentenarians' immune edge: more cancer-killing T cells

A study of 28 elderly participants, including centenarians and supercentenarians, found unusually high levels of CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD4 CTLs) that rise with age (about 4% of T cells in 70–90-year-olds, ~10% in 100–109-year-olds, ~18% in 110+). These cells often show clonal expansion and carry receptors matching cancer-linked sequences, particularly lung cancer, suggesting a potential role in fighting cancer and contributing to healthy longevity—though causality is unproven and tissue-level actions are unknown.