Natural killer cell adoptive transfer therapy: Exploiting the first line of defense against cancer

Zachary B. Davis, Martin Felices, Michael R. Verneris, Jeffrey S. Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells constitute an important component of the initial immunological response against transformed cells. However, chronic exposure to the tumor microenvironment can fundamentally alter the ability of NK cells to sufficiently control tumor progression. Thus, the adoptive transfer of healthy, functional NK cells as an interventional therapy has been an area of great interest for improving patient outcomes. Recent developments in the field have provided a better understanding of what makes the NK compartment effective against malignant cells. Moreover, there are now multiple potential sources of NK cell products for infusion as well as techniques to manipulate these cells to enhance their antitumor functions. This review explores the advantages and disadvantages of various sources of NK cells as well as prospective therapeutic enhancements to adoptively transferred NK cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)486-491
Number of pages6
JournalCancer Journal (United States)
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Adoptive transfer therapy
  • Antitumor functions
  • Prospective therapeutic enhancements
  • Tumor microenvironment
  • natural killer (NK) cells

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Natural killer cell adoptive transfer therapy: Exploiting the first line of defense against cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this