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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
Published on: October 30, 2016
Efficacy and safety of natural killer cell therapy in patients with solid tumors: a systematic review and
Heesook Park1, Gyurin Kim1, Najin Kim2
1Department of Public Health, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Introduction:
In 2020, global cancer statistics reported 19.3 million new cases and 10 million deaths annually, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments. Current therapies, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, have limitations in comprehensively addressing solid tumor. Recent advances in cancer biology and immuno-oncology, including CAR-T cell therapy, show promise but face efficacy challenges against solid tumors.
Methods:
This meta-analysis systematically reviewed studies from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to May 2024 to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of unmodified NK cell therapies in solid tumors. The included trials focused on reporting objective response rates (ORR).
Results:
Thirty-one trials involving 600 patients across various cancers (e.g., NSCLC, HCC, breast, ovarian) were analyzed. NK cell therapies demonstrated promising ORRs, particularly 72.3% in hepatocellular carcinoma, often in combination with local therapies. Safety profiles were favorable, with fatigue being the most common adverse event.
Discussion:
NK cell therapies represent a promising treatment option for solid tumors, offering a viable alternative to genetically modified cell therapies like CAR-T. Further research is needed to optimize the clinical utility of NK cell therapy and integrate it effectively into standard cancer treatment regimens.
Systematic Review Registration:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023438410, identifier CRD42023438410.
Insights
Unmodified natural killer (NK) cell therapies show promise for treating solid tumors, demonstrating favorable safety and efficacy, particularly in liver cancer. These therapies offer a potential alternative to existing treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Cellular Therapy
Background:
- Solid tumors present a significant global health challenge with limited treatment options.
- Current cancer therapies like chemotherapy and radiation have limitations.
- CAR-T cell therapy shows promise but faces efficacy challenges in solid tumors.
Conclusions:
- Unmodified NK cell therapies represent a promising treatment option for solid tumors.
- NK cell therapy offers a potential alternative to genetically modified cell therapies.
- Further research is needed to optimize NK cell therapy integration into standard cancer care.
