NK Cells in Cancer: Mechanisms of Dysfunction and Therapeutic Potential.
Int J Mol Sci
; 24(11)2023 May 30.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37298470
ABSTRACT
Natural killer cells (NK) are innate lymphocytes endowed with the ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. Consequently, adoptive transfer of autologous or allogeneic NK cells represents a novel opportunity in cancer treatment that is currently under clinical investigation. However, cancer renders NK cells dysfunctional, thus restraining the efficacy of cell therapies. Importantly, extensive effort has been employed to investigate the mechanisms that restrain NK cell anti-tumor function, and the results have offered forthcoming solutions to improve the efficiency of NK cell-based therapies. The present review will introduce the origin and features of NK cells, summarize the mechanisms of action and causes of dysfunction of NK cells in cancer, and frame NK cells in the tumoral microenvironment and in the context of immunotherapies. Finally, we will discuss therapeutic potential and current limitations of NK cell adoptive transfer in tumors.
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MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article