Natural killer cells and cancer

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Natural cytotoxicity, mediated by natural killer (NK) cells and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, is crucial for host anti-cancer defense mechanisms.
• Understanding the role of these cytotoxic cells in cancer patients is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review recent publications on the role of natural cytotoxicity in patients with cancer.
• To explore the variations in NK and LAK cell activity in different body compartments and their correlation with cancer progression and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on natural cytotoxicity in cancer patients.
• Analysis of studies reporting on NK and LAK cell numbers and activity in peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and tumor tissues.
• Evaluation of the impact of anti-cancer treatments on natural cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• NK and LAK cell activity varies across different body compartments in cancer patients, with peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) showing higher activity than lymph nodes and tumors, potentially due to suppressor factors.
• Natural cytotoxicity of PBLs differs among cancer types and may decrease with tumor volume or dissemination.
• Anti-cancer treatments like surgery, hormonal modulation, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy can suppress natural cytotoxicity, with unknown long-term effects on treatment response and metastasis.

Conclusions:

• NK and LAK cells demonstrate therapeutic potential in human cancers when utilized with immune biologic modifiers.
• Further research is needed to optimize dosages, combinations of chemotherapeutic agents, surgical timing, and the use of immune biologic response modifiers.
• Increased understanding of NK and LAK cell function in cancer can lead to the development of future anti-cancer therapies.