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Published on: February 14, 2025
Natural killer cell‑based immunotherapy for lung cancer: Challenges and perspectives (Review)
Yongqin Zeng1, Xiuzhi Lv2, Juan Du3
1Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Despite the marked success of molecular targeted therapy in lung cancer in this era of personalized medicine, its efficacy has been limited by the presence of resistance mechanisms. The prognosis of patients with lung cancer remains poor, and there is an unmet need to develop more effective therapies to improve clinical outcomes. The increasing insight into the human immune system has led to breakthroughs in immunotherapy and has prompted research interest in employing immunotherapy to treat lung cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells, which serve as the first line of defense against tumors, can induce the innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, the use of NK cells for the development of novel lung‑cancer immunotherapy strategies is promising. A growing number of novel approaches that boost NK cell antitumor immunity and expand NK cell populations ex vivo now provide a platform for the development of antitumor immunotherapy. The present review outlined the biology of NK cells, summarized the role of NK cells in lung cancer and the effect of the tumor microenvironment on NK cells, highlighted the potential of NK cell‑based immunotherapy as an effective therapeutic strategy for lung cancer and discussed future directions.
Insights
Natural killer (NK) cells offer a promising avenue for lung cancer immunotherapy, overcoming resistance to targeted therapies. Research is exploring ways to enhance NK cell activity and numbers for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Molecular targeted therapy for lung cancer shows success but is limited by resistance mechanisms.
- Lung cancer patients have a poor prognosis, highlighting the need for novel, effective treatments.
- Advances in understanding the immune system have spurred interest in immunotherapy for lung cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biology of Natural Killer (NK) cells.
- To summarize the role of NK cells in lung cancer and the impact of the tumor microenvironment.
- To highlight the potential of NK cell-based immunotherapy for lung cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on NK cell biology and function in cancer.
- Analysis of NK cell interactions within the lung tumor microenvironment.
- Exploration of current and emerging NK cell-based immunotherapy strategies.
Main Results:
- NK cells are crucial innate immune cells with antitumor capabilities.
- The tumor microenvironment can suppress NK cell activity in lung cancer.
- Novel approaches are being developed to enhance NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity.
Conclusions:
- NK cell-based immunotherapy presents a promising strategy to overcome resistance and improve lung cancer treatment.
- Further research into boosting NK cell function and expansion is warranted.
- NK cell immunotherapy holds potential for improving clinical outcomes in lung cancer patients.
