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Th17 cells play an active role in autoimmune diseases. However, the nature of Th17 cells is poorly understood in cancer patients. We studied Th17 cells, the associated mechanisms, and clinical significance in 201 ovarian cancer patients. Tumor-infiltrating Th17 cells exhibit a polyfunctional effector T-cell phenotype, are positively associated with effector cells, and are negatively associated with tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. Tumor-associated macrophages promote Th17 cells through interleukin-1β (IL-1β), whereas tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells inhibit Th17 cells through an adenosinergic pathway. Furthermore, through synergistic action between IL-17 and interferon-γ, Th17 cells stimulate CXCL9 and CXCL10 production to recruit effector T cells to the tumor microenvironment. The levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 are associated with tumor-infiltrating effector T cells. The levels of tumor-infiltrating Th17 …