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Harnessing natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy: dispatching the first responders

Nicholas A Maskalenko1, Dmitry Zhigarev1, Kerry S Campbell2

  • 1Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|March 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune cells that eliminate abnormal cells and initiate adaptive responses. Recent advances in understanding NK cell biology have led to new immunotherapies for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are critical for innate immunosurveillance against cancer and viral infections.
  • NK cells act as rapid responders, eliminating abnormal cells via cytotoxicity and cytokine production.
  • Significant progress in understanding NK cell receptors and regulatory mechanisms has occurred over the past 30 years.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the fundamental mechanisms governing NK cell biology.
  • To review current and emerging therapeutics that modulate NK cell responses.
  • To outline novel adoptive transfer strategies for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of basic NK cell biology mechanisms.
  • Survey of existing and investigational drugs, cytokines, and antibodies targeting NK cells.
  • Analysis of evolving adoptive NK cell transfer approaches.

Main Results:

  • Detailed understanding of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and immune cell recruitment.
  • Identification of numerous therapeutic agents and strategies to enhance NK cell function.
  • Development of adoptive NK cell transfer as a promising cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • NK cell biology is complex and offers significant therapeutic potential.
  • Targeted manipulation of NK cells is a rapidly advancing field in cancer immunotherapy.
  • Adoptive NK cell transfer represents a key strategy for future cancer treatment.

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