Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
08:17

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions

Published on: October 30, 2016

21.3K

Adjusting the scope of natural killer cells in cancer therapy

Zihen Shen1, Xiangpeng Meng1, Jai Rautela2

  • 1Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.

Cellular & Molecular Immunology
|May 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells fight infections but can be evaded by cancer cells. This review explores NK cell-cancer interactions and therapeutic strategies to enhance innate immunity against malignancies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for detecting and eliminating abnormal cells, including those infected by pathogens or undergoing transformation.
  • Despite their role in innate immunity, cancer cells and their microenvironment often develop mechanisms to evade NK cell surveillance.
  • Cancer represents a significant global health burden, underscoring the need for effective immune-based therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the interplay between malignancies and NK cells.
  • To analyze current clinical efforts targeting NK cells for cancer therapy.
  • To outline novel therapeutic concepts for bolstering the innate immune response against cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and therapeutic strategies.
  • Synthesis of emerging concepts in cancer immunotherapy.

Main Results:

  • NK cells are essential in early defense but are frequently subverted by advanced cancers.
  • Therapeutic targeting of NK cells shows promise but faces challenges in overcoming tumor evasion tactics.
  • Understanding NK cell biology offers new avenues for cancer treatment development.

Conclusions:

  • NK cell-mediated immunity is a critical component of cancer immunosurveillance.
  • Overcoming NK cell evasion by tumors is key to successful cancer immunotherapy.
  • Future strategies should focus on enhancing NK cell activity and overcoming tumor resistance for improved cancer treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
CancerCytokinesDrug DevelopmentImmunotherapyInnate Immune cellsNatural Killer cell

More Related Videos

Natural Killer NK and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line11:02

Natural Killer NK and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line

Published on: February 8, 2022

5.8K
Advances in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells11:08

Advances in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells

Published on: February 14, 2025

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
2.6K
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
4.0K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
677
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
3.5K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K