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Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

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Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
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The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
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Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
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The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

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Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
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Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

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Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
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Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
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Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports
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Arrested development: suppression of NK cell function in the tumor microenvironment.

Luke Riggan1,2, Siya Shah1, Timothy E O'Sullivan1,2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles CA USA.

Clinical & Translational Immunology
|January 18, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for fighting cancer but become dysfunctional in solid tumors. This review explores NK cell dysfunction mechanisms and immunotherapy strategies to restore their anti-cancer activity.

Keywords:
CRISPRadoptive NK cell therapydysfunctiongenetic engineeringimmunotherapynatural killer cellssuppressiontumor microenvironment

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes with cytotoxic functions against viral infections and tumor metastasis.
  • Dysfunctional and low-count NK cells are prevalent in advanced solid human cancers, impairing anti-tumor immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review mechanisms of suboptimal NK cell recruitment and function within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • To highlight current immunotherapies targeting NK cell dysfunction.
  • To discuss next-generation strategies for adoptive NK cell therapy in solid tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mechanisms influencing NK cell function in the TME.
  • Analysis of current immunotherapy approaches for NK cell enhancement.
  • Discussion of future strategies targeting intrinsic and extrinsic checkpoints.

Main Results:

  • The TME harbors factors that impair NK cell recruitment and cytotoxic activity.
  • Current immunotherapies show promise but require optimization.
  • Targeting regulatory checkpoints offers potential for next-generation therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding NK cell dysfunction in the TME is critical for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
  • Enhancing NK cell function through targeted strategies can improve adoptive cell therapy outcomes.
  • Novel approaches are needed to overcome NK cell suppression in solid tumors.