NK cells as powerful therapeutic tool in cancer immunotherapy

Mao Huang; Yixuan Liu; Qijia Yan; Miao Peng; Junshang Ge; Yongzhen Mo; Yumin Wang; Fuyan Wang; Zhaoyang Zeng; Yong Li; Chunmei Fan; Wei Xiong

doi:10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3

NK cells as powerful therapeutic tool in cancer immunotherapy

Cell Oncol (Dordr). 2024 Jan 3. doi: 10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mao Huang^{1

2}, Yixuan Liu^{1

2}, Qijia Yan³, Miao Peng^{1

2}, Junshang Ge^{1

2}, Yongzhen Mo^{1

2}, Yumin Wang⁴, Fuyan Wang², Zhaoyang Zeng^{1

2}, Yong Li⁵, Chunmei Fan^{6

7

8}, Wei Xiong^{9

10}

Affiliations

¹ NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
² Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
³ Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China.
⁴ Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China.
⁵ Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Alkek Building, RM N720, Houston, TX, USA.
⁶ NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. fanchunmei@csu.edu.cn.
⁷ Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. fanchunmei@csu.edu.cn.
⁸ Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 410013, Changsha, Hunan Province, China. fanchunmei@csu.edu.cn.
⁹ NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. xiongwei@csu.edu.cn.
¹⁰ Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. xiongwei@csu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38170381
DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3

Abstract

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells have gained considerable attention and hold great potential for their application in tumor immunotherapy. This is mainly due to their MHC-unrestricted and pan-specific recognition capabilities, as well as their ability to rapidly respond to and eliminate target cells. To artificially generate therapeutic NK cells, various materials can be utilized, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and NK cell lines. Exploiting the therapeutic potential of NK cells to treat tumors through in vivo and in vitro therapeutic modalities has yielded positive therapeutic results.

Conclusion: This review provides a comprehensive description of NK cell therapeutic approaches for tumors and discusses the current problems associated with these therapeutic approaches and the prospects of NK cell therapy for tumors.

Keywords: Cancer immunotherapy; Chimeric antigen receptor; Extracellular vesicles; Immune checkpoint; Memory-like; Natural killer cell; Oncolytic virus.

Publication types

Review

Abstract

Publication types

Grants and funding