Exploring natural killer cell immunology as a therapeutic strategy in lung cancer
- Author(s)
- Hess, JB; Sutherland, KD; Best, SA;
- Details
- Publication Year 2021,Volume 10,Issue #6,Page 2788-2805
- Journal Title
- Translational Lung Cancer Research
- Abstract
- Cytotoxic immune cells are key in the control of tumor development and progression. Natural killer (NK) cells are the cytotoxic arm of the innate immune system with the capability to kill tumor cells and surveil tumor cell dissemination. As such, the interest in harnessing NK cells in tumor control is increasing in many solid tumor types, including lung cancer. Here, we review the pre-clinical models used to unveil the role of NK cells in immunosurveillance of solid tumors and highlight measures to enhance NK cell activity. Importantly, the development of NK immunotherapy is rapidly evolving. Enhancing the NK cell response can be achieved using two broad modalities: enhancing endogenous NK cell activity, or performing adoptive transfer of pre-activated NK cells to patients. Numerous clinical trials are evaluating the efficacy of NK cell immunotherapy in isolation or in combination with standard treatments, with encouraging initial results. Pre-clinical studies and early phase clinical trials suggest that patients with solid tumors, including lung cancer, have the potential to benefit from recent developments in NK cell immunotherapy. © 2021 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
- Publisher
- AME Publishing Company
- Keywords
- Immunosurveillance; Lung cancer; Natural killer cells (NK cells)
- Research Division(s)
- Cancer Biology And Stem Cells
- PubMed ID
- 34267311
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.21037/tlcr-20-765
- Open Access at Publisher's Site
https://doi.org/ 10.21037/tlcr-20-765- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2021-07-20 11:18:07
Last Modified: 2021-07-20 12:28:37