Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
07:59

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Published on: December 5, 2020

3.1K

Natural Killer Cell Therapy in Ovarian Cancer: From Preclinical Potentials to Clinical Applications and Combination

Tian Chen1, Jiaqi Lu1,2, Haiou Liu1

  • 1Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai Key Lab of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai Key Lab of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China.

International Journal of Biological Sciences
|April 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Natural Killer (NK) cell immunotherapies show promise for ovarian cancer treatment. Strategies are being developed to overcome the tumor microenvironment challenges and improve efficacy, potentially revolutionizing care.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Therapy

Background:

  • Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of gynecologic cancer mortality with limited treatment options for advanced stages.
  • Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune effector cells with potential for ovarian cancer immunotherapy.
  • The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and infiltration barriers hinder current ovarian cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current landscape of NK cell-based therapies for ovarian cancer.
  • To examine preclinical rationale, clinical translation, and combination strategies for NK cell therapy.
  • To discuss methods for enhancing NK cell activity against ovarian cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies on NK cell therapies for ovarian cancer.
  • Analysis of strategies to enhance NK cell function, including cytokine-based agents, NK cell engagers, and CAR-NK cells.
  • Discussion of challenges posed by the ovarian cancer TME.

Main Results:

  • NK cell-based therapies are a promising avenue for ovarian cancer treatment.
  • Various strategies exist to enhance NK cell activity and overcome TME-related challenges.
  • Combination immunotherapies leveraging NK cells show potential to complement standard treatments.

Conclusions:

  • NK cell therapies offer a novel approach to combatting ovarian cancer, particularly advanced and recurrent forms.
  • Overcoming the immunosuppressive TME is critical for the success of NK cell-based ovarian cancer treatments.
  • Continued research and clinical trials are essential to translate NK cell therapy advances into effective treatments.
Keywords:
chimeric antigen receptorclinical trialsimmunotherapynatural killer cellsovarian cancertumor microenvironment

More Related Videos

A Data Integration Workflow to Identify Drug Combinations Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions07:40

A Data Integration Workflow to Identify Drug Combinations Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions

Published on: May 27, 2021

4.8K
Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Models for Pre-Clinical Drug Testing05:35

Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Models for Pre-Clinical Drug Testing

Published on: September 15, 2023

2.3K

Related Concept Videos

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.
2.6K
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...
9.2K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

1.8K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.9K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
6.4K
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...
8.5K