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Updated: Nov 27, 2025
Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies
Published on: February 15, 2021
The role of natural killer cell in gastrointestinal cancer: killer or helper
Feixue Wang1, Jennie Ka Ching Lau2, Jun Yu3
1Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal cancer is one of the leading health problems worldwide, with a high morbidity and mortality. To date, harnessing both the innate and adaptive immune system against cancer provides a selective and effective therapeutic strategy for patients. As a first line defense against cancer, natural killer (NK) cells can swiftly target and lyse tumor cells without prior activation. In addition to its pivotal role in innate immunity, NK cells also play unique roles in the adaptive immune system as it enhance anti-tumor adaptive immune responses through secretion of cytokines and retaining an immunological memory. All these characteristics make NK cell a promising anti-cancer agent for patients. In spite of scarce infiltration and impaired function of NK cells in tumors, and the fact that tumors easily develop resistant mechanisms to evade the attacks from endogenous NK cells, multiple strategies have been developed to boost anti-tumor effect of NK cells and abolish tumor resistance. Some examples include adoptive transfer of NK cells after ex vivo activation and expansion; restoration of NK cell function using immune checkpoint inhibitors, and monoclonal antibody or cytokine treatment. Preclinical data have shown encouraging results, suggesting that NK cells hold great potential in cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss NK cells' cytotoxicity and modulation function in GI cancer and the current application in clinical therapy.
Insights
Natural killer (NK) cells show promise in fighting gastrointestinal cancer by targeting tumor cells and enhancing immune responses. Strategies are being developed to overcome tumor resistance and boost NK cell therapy effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer presents a significant global health challenge with high mortality rates.
- The immune system, encompassing innate and adaptive responses, offers a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial in innate immunity, capable of directly lysing tumor cells and contributing to adaptive immunity through cytokine secretion and memory formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of NK cells in GI cancer, including their cytotoxic and modulatory functions.
- To discuss current strategies aimed at enhancing NK cell-mediated anti-tumor effects and overcoming tumor resistance mechanisms.
- To explore the clinical applications and potential of NK cell-based therapies for GI cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on NK cell biology and function in the context of GI cancer.
- Analysis of preclinical and clinical data regarding NK cell-based therapeutic strategies.
- Discussion of various approaches to augment NK cell activity, such as adoptive transfer, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and cytokine therapy.
Main Results:
- NK cells possess inherent cytotoxicity against tumor cells and modulate anti-tumor immune responses in GI cancer.
- Tumors often exhibit mechanisms to evade NK cell surveillance, including reduced infiltration and impaired function.
- Emerging strategies like ex vivo NK cell expansion, immune checkpoint blockade, and targeted therapies show encouraging preclinical results.
Conclusions:
- NK cells represent a promising therapeutic agent for GI cancer due to their versatile anti-tumor capabilities.
- Overcoming tumor-induced immune evasion is critical for the successful clinical application of NK cell therapies.
- Further research and clinical trials are warranted to fully realize the potential of NK cell-based immunotherapies in treating GI cancers.
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