Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Finding New Therapeutic Targets for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Through Genome-Scale shRNA Screens
Published on: August 25, 2023
NK and NK-related neoplasms
1First Department of Pathology, Nagoya University School of Medicine.
Recent immunological advances clarify natural killer (NK) cell development and related cancers. This paper reviews NK cell neoplasms, including nasal lymphoma and NK cell leukemia/lymphoma, using the latest lymphoma classification.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Recent immunological progress has elucidated natural killer (NK) cell differentiation and maturation.
- The neoplastic counterparts of NK cells, known as NK cell-related lymphoma/leukemia, have been characterized.
- A new classification of malignant lymphomas provides a framework for understanding these entities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on NK cell neoplasms based on the latest classification of malignant lymphomas.
- To characterize distinct NK cell-related malignancies.
- To highlight specific entities within NK cell neoplasms.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on NK cell neoplasms.
- Application of the new classification of malignant lymphomas.
- Characterization of specific NK cell-related entities.
Main Results:
- NK cell neoplasms are increasingly well-defined entities.
- Nasal lymphoma is a clearly defined NK cell neoplasm.
- NK cell leukemia/lymphoma and blastic/blastoid NK cell leukemia/lymphoma are also characterized.
Conclusions:
- The new classification of malignant lymphomas aids in understanding NK cell neoplasms.
- Nasal lymphoma, NK cell leukemia/lymphoma, and blastic/blastoid NK cell leukemia/lymphoma represent key entities.
- Further characterization of NK cell neoplasms is supported by recent immunological advancements.
Related Concept Videos
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...

