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Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

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Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
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Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

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The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
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Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
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Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
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Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
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Related Experiment Video

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NK cells in the tumor microenvironment.

Stine K Larsen1, Yanhua Gao2, Per H Basse3

  • 1University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA; Department of Hematology, 54P4, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.

Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
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Natural killer (NK) cells in tumors impact cancer outcomes, but their precise role is debated. Activated NK cells show promise in targeting solid tumors, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are present in the tumor microenvironment and correlate with patient outcomes across various cancers.
  • The specific function of intratumoral NK cells remains incompletely understood.
  • Preclinical data indicate NK cells effectively eliminate circulating tumor cells but are less effective against extravasated tumor cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the role of intratumoral natural killer (NK) cells in cancer.
  • To investigate the factors influencing NK cell efficacy against solid tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical studies and published/unpublished data on NK cell activity.
  • Analysis of NK cell interactions with circulating versus extravasated tumor cells.
  • Evaluation of NK cell activation states and their impact on tumor cell killing.

Main Results:

  • Intratumoral NK cells' role in cancer prognosis is complex and not fully elucidated.
  • NK cell-mediated killing of tumor cells is dependent on their activation status.
  • Interleukin-2-activated NK cells demonstrate the capacity to attack established solid tumors.

Conclusions:

  • The activation level of NK cells is critical for their ability to eliminate extravasated tumor cells.
  • Targeted activation of NK cells, such as with interleukin-2, may represent a viable strategy for treating solid tumors.