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Natural killer cells in pancreatic cancer stroma

Rachel Elizabeth Ann Fincham1, Francesca Romana Delvecchio1, Michelle R Goulart1

  • 1Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom.

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|July 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, with limited treatment options. Natural killer (NK) cells are key immune cells that may offer new therapeutic strategies for this challenging disease.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology and Oncology
  • Tumor Microenvironment Research

Background:

  • Pancreatic cancer exhibits dismal 5-year survival rates (<8%) due to late-stage presentation and limited therapeutic options.
  • Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment, but most patients present with unresectable disease.
  • Understanding the tumor microenvironment is critical for developing novel pancreatic cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Natural Killer (NK) cells in pancreatic cancer.
  • To examine the interactions between NK cells and the pancreatic cancer stroma.
  • To highlight the potential of NK cells as a therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on Natural Killer (NK) cells in pancreatic cancer.
  • Analysis of NK cell interactions within the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.
  • Exploration of NK cell-based immunotherapies.

Main Results:

  • The role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer is increasingly recognized.
  • NK cells are crucial effector cells in cancer immunosurveillance.
  • Evidence suggests NK cells are important in the context of pancreatic cancer's poor prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • NK cells represent a promising area for novel immunotherapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer.
  • Further research into NK cell function and tumor microenvironment interactions is warranted.
  • Targeting NK cells could potentially improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
Keywords:
Natural killer cellsPancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer stromaStromal cellsTumour microenvironment

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