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Natural Killer Cell Adoptive Transfer Therapy: Exploiting the First Line of Defense Against Cancer

Zachary B Davis1, Martin Felices, Michael R Verneris

  • 1From the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

Cancer Journal (Sudbury, Mass.)
|November 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Adoptive transfer of natural killer (NK) cells shows promise for cancer therapy. This review examines NK cell sources and enhancements for improved anti-tumor immunity and patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Therapy
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for early immune responses against cancer.
  • The tumor microenvironment can impair NK cell anti-tumor functions.
  • Adoptive transfer of functional NK cells is a promising cancer immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of NK cell efficacy against cancer.
  • To explore various sources of NK cells for therapeutic use.
  • To discuss methods for enhancing NK cell anti-tumor functions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of NK cell biology and adoptive transfer strategies.
  • Analysis of different NK cell sources (e.g., peripheral blood, cord blood, cell lines).
  • Evaluation of methods to augment NK cell anti-tumor activity.

Main Results:

  • NK cell function is compromised by chronic tumor microenvironment exposure.
  • Multiple sources of NK cells are available for therapeutic development.
  • Techniques exist to enhance NK cell potency and persistence.

Conclusions:

  • Adoptive NK cell therapy is a developing field with significant therapeutic potential.
  • Optimizing NK cell sources and functional enhancements is key to improving cancer treatment outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to fully harness NK cell-based immunotherapies.

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