Advances in NK cell therapy for hematologic malignancies: NK source, persistence and tumor targeting

Aimee Merino; Joseph Maakaron; Veronika Bachanova

doi:10.1016/j.blre.2023.101073

Advances in NK cell therapy for hematologic malignancies: NK source, persistence and tumor targeting

Blood Rev. 2023 Jul:60:101073. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101073. Epub 2023 Mar 12.

Authors

Aimee Merino¹, Joseph Maakaron¹, Veronika Bachanova²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America.
² Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America. Electronic address: bach0173@umn.edu.

Abstract

Natural Killer (NK) cells yield promise in therapy of hematologic malignancies. The clinical experience with adoptively transferred allogeneic NK cells over past two decades has revealed safety and minimal risk of CRS or ICANS. Unlike T cells which have to be genetically altered to avoid graft vs host disease (GVHD), HLA mismatched NK cells can be infused without GVHD risk. This makes them ideal for the development of off-the-shelf products. In this review we focus on NK biology relevant to the cancer therapy, the trajectory of NK therapeutics for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma; and advantages of the NK cell platform. We will also discuss novel methods to enhance NK cell targeting, persistence, and function in the tumor microenvironment. The future of NK cell therapy depends on novel strategies to realize these qualities.

Keywords: AML; CAR-NK; Lymphodepletion; Lymphoma; Myeloma; NK cell therapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Graft vs Host Disease*
Hematologic Neoplasms* / therapy
Humans
Immunotherapy, Adoptive / adverse effects
Killer Cells, Natural / transplantation
Tumor Microenvironment

Grants and funding

P01 CA065493/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States