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Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Isolation of Cancer Stem Cells From Human Prostate Cancer Samples
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Isolation of Cancer Stem Cells From Human Prostate Cancer Samples

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NK Cells Can Preferentially Target Prostate Cancer Stem-like Cells via the TRAIL/DR5 Signaling Pathway

Taiga Seki1, Yui Shimizu2, Kyota Ishii1

  • 1Graduate School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University, Gunma 347-0193, Japan.

Biomolecules
|November 27, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells show enhanced cytotoxicity against prostate cancer stem cells. This targeted elimination via the TRAIL/DR5 pathway offers a potential strategy for treating androgen-dependent prostate cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Androgen-dependent prostate cancer relies on cancer stem cells.
  • Eliminating prostate cancer stem cells is crucial but lacks established strategies.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells target stem cells in other tumors but not yet prostate cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of NK cells to selectively target androgen-dependent prostate cancer stem cells.
  • To explore NK cell-mediated elimination strategies for prostate cancer stem cells.

Main Methods:

  • Prostate cancer stem-like cells were isolated from LNCaP cells using 3D culture.
  • Co-culture assays with LNCaP stem-like cells and human NK cells (KHYG-1) were performed.
  • Cell viability (WST-8), protein expression (FACS), and mRNA levels (real-time PCR) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • NK cells (KHYG-1) exhibited greater cytotoxicity against prostate cancer stem-like cells compared to standard LNCaP cells.
  • The enhanced cytotoxicity was significantly linked to the TRAIL/DR5 cell death pathway.

Conclusions:

  • NK cells demonstrate preferential targeting of prostate cancer stem-like cells.
  • The TRAIL/DR5 pathway is implicated in NK cell-mediated elimination of prostate cancer stem cells.
Keywords:
NK cellsTRAIL/DR5 signal pathwayandrogen-dependent prostate cancercytotoxicitystem cells

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