Distinct Leukocyte Populations and Cytokine Secretion Profiles Define Tumoral and Peritumoral Areas in Renal Cell Carcinoma

•Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) exhibit higher cytokine production compared to peripheral TILs (pTILs) in patients with RCC.•CD8+ T cells predominantly utilize Fas Ligand, while CD4+ T cells rely on CD107a for cytotoxicity in RCC.•The migration capacity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is inversely correlated with the proportion of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).•Tumor and peritumoral T cells exhibit limited responsiveness to additional activation signals, while peripheral T cells in circulation retain their capacity to respond to stimulatory signals.