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A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro
10:36

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Published on: January 9, 2018

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Tumor immunotherapy: New aspects of natural killer cells

Yangxi Li1, Rui Sun1

  • 1Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.

Chinese Journal of Cancer Research = Chung-Kuo Yen Cheng Yen Chiu
|June 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Restoring natural killer (NK) cell antitumor functionality is a promising cancer treatment strategy. Activated NK cells, enhanced by therapies like CARs and checkpoint blockade, can effectively target and eliminate tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity against tumors and viral infections.
  • Dysfunctional NK cells are observed in cancer patients, highlighting the need to restore their antitumor activity.
  • Current immunotherapies offer new avenues for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at restoring NK cell antitumor functionality for cancer treatment.
  • To explore how NK cell-based therapies can overcome tumor-induced immunosuppression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on immunotherapies targeting NK cells.
  • Analysis of approaches including immune checkpoint blockade, gene therapy, and adoptive cellular immunotherapy.
  • Examination of therapeutic antibodies, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), and bispecific proteins for NK cell retargeting.
  • Discussion of oncolytic virotherapy's role in stimulating NK cell activity.

Main Results:

  • Activated and expanded NK cells ex vivo can supplement deficient NK cells in cancer patients.
  • Therapeutic antibodies, CARs, and bispecific proteins enable precise NK cell targeting of tumor cells.
  • Immune checkpoint blockade and oncolytic virotherapy can enhance NK cell-mediated antitumor responses.

Conclusions:

  • Restoring NK cell antitumor functionality represents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer.
  • Various immunotherapeutic approaches, including engineered NK cells and immune modulation, show potential in enhancing cancer treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
Natural killer cellsimmunotherapyneoplasms

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