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Immunological and Translational Aspects of NK Cell-Based Antitumor Immunotherapies

Maxim Shevtsov1, Gabriele Multhoff2

  • 1Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), St. Petersburg, Russia.

Frontiers in Immunology
|November 29, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for cancer defense. This review explores NK cell-based immunotherapies, including engineered NK cells and combinations with antibodies or inhibitors, for enhanced cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune cells in the initial defense against malignancies.
  • NK cells are classified into CD56dimCD16+ cytotoxic and CD56brightCD16- immunoregulatory subtypes.
  • Cytotoxic NK cells eliminate tumor cells directly and regulate immunity via cytokine secretion.

Approach:

  • This review highlights therapeutic strategies involving NK cells for cancer immunotherapy.
  • It examines the use of autologous and allogenic NK cells.
  • Combinations with monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors are discussed, alongside chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells.

Key Points:

  • NK cells offer direct tumor cell killing and immune regulation.
  • Therapeutic strategies include adoptive transfer of NK cells.
  • Combining NK cells with monoclonal antibodies or immune checkpoint inhibitors enhances anti-cancer effects.
  • Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells represent a novel approach.

Conclusions:

  • NK cell-based immunotherapies show significant promise in cancer treatment.
  • Engineered NK cells and combination therapies offer new avenues for overcoming cancer.
  • Further research into NK cell functions and therapeutic applications is warranted.
Keywords:
antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicitycheckpoint inhibitorschimeric antigen receptorimmunotherapymonoclonal antibodynatural killer cell

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