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Isolation and Expansion of Cytotoxic Cytokine-induced Killer T Cells for Cancer Treatment
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Isolation and Expansion of Cytotoxic Cytokine-induced Killer T Cells for Cancer Treatment

Published on: January 24, 2020

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Natural killer cells in cancer biology and therapy

Song-Yang Wu1,2, Tong Fu1,2, Yi-Zhou Jiang3,4

  • 1Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.

Molecular Cancer
|August 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune cells fighting cancer. Emerging therapies focus on harnessing NK cells to overcome tumor immune escape and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment is complex, with immune escape a major driver of cancer progression.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial innate immune effector cells against cancer but are often overlooked in therapies.
  • Current immunotherapies primarily target T cells, with limited success, highlighting the need for alternative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the characteristics of NK cells within the tumor immunometabolic microenvironment.
  • To discuss recent advances in NK cell biology and their role in cancer immunity.
  • To explore emerging NK cell-based therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of fundamental NK cell characteristics.
  • Analysis of recent advances in NK cell immunometabolism.
  • Discussion of therapeutic strategies including cytokine supplementation, suppressive molecule blockade, and genetic engineering.

Main Results:

  • NK cells are heterogeneous and play a vital role in innate anti-cancer immunity.
  • Tumors develop resistance mechanisms against NK cell cytotoxicity.
  • Strategies like cytokine supplementation and genetic engineering show promise in overcoming NK cell resistance.

Conclusions:

  • NK cell-based therapies offer a promising new avenue for cancer treatment, particularly in solid and hematological malignancies.
  • Overcoming tumor-induced resistance is crucial for the success of NK cell immunotherapies.
  • Precision medicine approaches are essential for optimizing NK cell-based therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
ImmunometabolismImmunotherapyInnate immunityNatural killer cellPrecision treatmentTumor progression

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