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Cancer extracellular vesicles as novel regulators of NK cell response

Alessandra Soriani1, Elisabetta Vulpis1, Lorenzo Cuollo2

  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
|December 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can suppress or promote natural killer (NK) cell activity. Anti-cancer therapies may alter EVs, impacting NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cellular Communication

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for immune surveillance against tumors.
  • NK cell activity is modulated by receptors, cytokines, and factors in the tumor microenvironment.
  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication, influencing various cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate mechanisms by which cancer-derived EVs modulate NK cell activity.
  • To discuss the impact of anti-cancer therapies on EV secretion and function.
  • To explore strategies for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on NK cell biology and EVs.
  • Analysis of molecular cargo within tumor-derived EVs.
  • Investigation of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in response to therapy.
  • Examination of DNA damage response (DDR) and senescence induction.

Main Results:

  • Tumor-derived EVs can either promote or suppress NK cell functions depending on their cargo.
  • Anti-cancer therapies can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and release DAMPs.
  • Therapy-induced DDR and senescence can enhance NK cell-mediated tumor cell clearance.
  • Therapies can influence the secretion and immunomodulatory properties of EVs.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding EV-NK cell interactions is vital for developing novel cancer immunotherapies.
  • Targeting EV pathways offers a potential strategy to overcome tumor immune evasion.
  • Optimizing anti-cancer therapies can leverage EVs to bolster anti-tumor immunity.
Keywords:
CancerChemotherapyDAMPsExtracellular vesiclesNatural killer cellsSenescence

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