Possibilities of using NK cells in cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Despite the progress that has been made in oncology in recent years, the increasing number of cases of cancer forces the search for new, more effective, and above all, safer therapeutic strategies. Immunotherapy, which is based on the mobilization and strengthening of the body's own defence mechanisms, perfectly fits this trend. This is important because cancer cells often 'sneak out' of immune surveillance and thus gain the possibility of uncontrolled growth and spread throughout the body. Strengthening and improving the immune response towards recognition/detection, and at the same time, destroying cancer cells is largely based on the modification of immunocompetent cells directly involved in the anti-cancer response. Because of the fact that lymphocytes NK (natural killer cells) are the first line of the body's defence against cancertransformed cells, hope is placed in them for a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Research on NK cells biology has allowed a better understanding of their huge therapeutic potential, and the achievements of modern medicine have enabled their effective use in cancer immunotherapy. This paper presents the current state of knowledge about the possibilities of using NK cells in cancer immunotherapy, in particular, adopted therapy using NK cells, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, strategies based on NK cell stimulation with cytokines, or blocking their inhibitory receptors.

Impact of phytochemicals and plant extracts on viability and proliferation of NK cell line NK-92 – a closer look at immunomodulatory properties of goji berries extract in human colon cancer cells

“…Despite the fact that the presented study was performed only on NK cell lines, their importance is increased by the fact that the research was conducted on human NK-92 cell line with proven therapeutic efficacy in clinical studies [3,63]. Thus, a beneficial effect was discovered of goji berries extract on NK-92 cells viability, proliferation, and above all, elimination of colon cancer cells, which brings hope for future use of goji berries in cancer immunotherapy.…”

“…Due to the fact that the first line of the body defence against cancer are lymphocytes NK (natural killer cells) one of the goals of modern immunotherapy is the enhancement and/ or modification of their natural activities for the effective recognition, detection and elimination of cancer cells [1,2]. There are several well-documented strategies of NK cells use in cancer immunotherapy, including adopted therapy, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, NK cells stimulation with cytokines, or blocking of NK cells inhibitory receptors [3]. Considering the cost and labour intensity of these strategies, the possibility of using the components of the daily diet to activate NK cells seems to be a noteworthy issue, especially because their immunomodulatory properties was earlier suggested.…”

Treatment-Free Remission—A New Aim in the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

“…Activated NK cells are in a position to directly or indirectly exert their antitumor activity to control tumor growth and prevent rapid dissemination of metastatic tumors by immune surveillance mechanisms [ 117 ]. The inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands play a crucial role in the antitumor activity of NK cells, and their mismatch in the context of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) may trigger alloreactivity of NK cells [ 118 ]. Moreover, NK cell alloreactivity is of great importance in controlling a graft-versus-host (GVH).…”