Current Approaches to Engineering of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy

Current Pharmaceutical Design
M A StreltsovaE I Kovalenko

Abstract

Natural Killer (NK) cells belong to a unique subtype of lymphocytes with a great potential for cancer immunotherapy due to their ability to rapidly recognize and efficiently kill tumor cells. Their anti-cancer potential can be further increased by genetic and non-genetic modifications. However, the attempts of genetic improvements of NK cells over the past 20 years have been hampered by the difficulties of gene delivery into this cell type, thus preventing researchers from producing clinically relevant numbers of viable and biologically active NK cells. Currently, several successful approaches to genetic modification of NK cells have been described, and clinically applicable cell therapy products have been characterized. Now that we understand much better the ways of NK cell optimization to enhance their tumor regression-inducing capabilities, novel approaches to engineering NK surface receptors are being developed. In this review, we focus on the advantages and perspectives of various approaches to modification of NK cells. Positive results of several preclinical studies are described, demonstrating that genetically modified NK cells can be comparable to therapeutic T cells in their efficiency of recognizing and destroying tum...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

CAR-T cells

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are cells that are genetically engineered to recognize and target specific proteins. The ability of these cells to recognize cancer antigens and eliminate tumor cells have transformed cancer immunotherapy approaches. Here is the latest research on CAR-T cells.

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer vaccines are vaccines that either treat existing cancer or prevent development of a cancer.

Cancer Biology: Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging enables noninvasive imaging of key molecules that are crucial to tumor biology. Discover the latest research in molecular imaging in cancer biology in this feed.

Related Papers

Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal
Karlo PericaJonathan Schneck
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Ozge Nur AktaşŞükrü Dilege
Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia
Jessica HochbergMitchell S Cairo
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved