NK cells in the tumor microenvironment: Prognostic and theranostic impact. Recent advances and trends

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Therapeutics

Background:

• Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for anti-tumor immunity and metastasis control within the tumor microenvironment.
• NK cell infiltration into tumors is often limited, and tumor cells employ mechanisms to evade NK cell-mediated killing.
• NK cells that do infiltrate tumors become functionally and metabolically impaired, impacting their prognostic and theranostic value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the challenges of NK cell function in the tumor microenvironment.
• To explore strategies for overcoming NK cell exhaustion and dysfunction.
• To evaluate the potential of novel therapeutic tools for enhancing NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on NK cell biology in cancer.
• Analysis of mechanisms of tumor immune evasion targeting NK cells.
• Examination of emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring NK cell function.

Main Results:

• NK cell infiltration and function are significantly hampered in the tumor microenvironment.
• Tumor cells develop diverse strategies to escape NK cell surveillance and attack.
• NK cell impairment varies based on cancer type, stage, and microenvironment composition.
• Therapeutic interventions show promise in revitalizing NK cell activity against tumors.

Conclusions:

• NK cell dysfunction is a major hurdle in effective anti-tumor immunity.
• Targeting NK cell exhaustion and improving tumor infiltration are critical for immunotherapy.
• Developing and testing new therapeutic tools are essential for harnessing NK cell potential in cancer treatment.