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Natural killer cell epigenetic reprogramming in tumors and potential for cancer immunotherapy

Tahereh Hojjatipour1, Amirhosein Maali2,3, Mehdi Azad4

  • 1Department of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, Students Research Center, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Epigenomics
|May 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells are vital for fighting cancer. Epigenetic modifications influence NK cell function and can be targeted for novel cancer therapies by understanding how tumors hijack these epigenetic regulators.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune cells crucial for eliminating cancerous cells.
  • Epigenetic modifications play a significant role in regulating NK cell development, function, and maturation.
  • Tumors can manipulate epigenetic mechanisms to promote their growth and evade immune detection by NK cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the normal epigenetic regulation of NK cells.
  • To explore how cancer cells induce aberrant epigenetic modifications affecting NK cells.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for enhancing NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epigenetic mechanisms in NK cell biology and cancer immunology.
  • Analysis of studies detailing NK cell function and epigenetic alterations in the tumor microenvironment.
  • Synthesis of current research on epigenetic regulators influencing NK cell activity.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic modifications are essential for normal NK cell function but are also exploited by tumors.
  • Aberrant epigenetic changes driven by cancer can impair NK cell anti-tumor activity.
  • Specific epigenetic regulators offer potential targets for reversing tumor-induced immunosuppression.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding NK cell epigenetic regulation is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
  • Targeting cancer-driven epigenetic modifications in NK cells presents a promising strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into epigenetic regulators can unlock new avenues for NK cell-based cancer therapy.
Keywords:
DNA methylationantitumor immunitycancer immunotherapyepigenetic regulationepigenetic therapyhistone modificationmicroRNAnatural killer cells

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