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Understanding NK cell biology for harnessing NK cell therapies: targeting cancer and beyond

Eunju Shin1,2, Seong Ho Bak1,3, Taeho Park1,3

  • 1Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Frontiers in Immunology
|August 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cell therapies offer a promising alternative to CAR-T cells for treating various cancers. Genetically engineered NK cells and related immunotherapies are emerging as powerful tools against cancer, viral infections, and senescence.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Therapy

Background:

  • Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has shown success in hematologic cancers but faces limitations.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells possess unique cancer immune surveillance capabilities.
  • NK cells from healthy donors are a viable source for engineered immune cell therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review NK cell characteristics and their therapeutic potential.
  • To summarize diseases treatable with NK-based therapies.
  • To discuss advancements in NK cell-based immunotherapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and clinical investigations.
  • Analysis of genetic engineering and cell biology techniques.
  • Summary of NK cell biology and therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

  • NK cell-based therapies, including CAR-NK cells, are emerging as promising treatments.
  • These therapies show potential for a wide range of cancers, viral infections, and senescence.
  • Modulating NK cell activity is a key area of research.

Conclusions:

  • NK cell therapies represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
  • Further research into adoptive NK cell transfer and activity modulation is warranted.
  • NK cell-based approaches offer broad applicability beyond current CAR-T limitations.
Keywords:
agingcancerchimeric antigen receptorimmune surveillanceimmunotherapynatural killer cell

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