Dendritic cells (DC) were initially described as antigen presenting cells able to prime naive T cells. In fact, dendritic cells are also able to activate natural killer (NK) cells. The crosstalk between DC and NK is now regarded as a main stage in the initiation of innate and adaptative immune responses. Moreover, DC mediated-NK cell activation is particularly efficient since DC promote both effector functions and survival or proliferation of NK cells. Furthermore, recent publications in the field of NK cell biology underscore a role for NK cells in anti-tumor effects. NK cell-based immunotherapy should be reconsidered Here, we will report how pioneering immunotherapy trials based on natural cytotoxicity and progress in NK cell biology can promote NK cells in anti-tumor immune responses. Then, we will discuss the biological features of the DC/NK crosstalk and its implementations in immunotherapy protocols.
John Libbey Eurotext 2003