Abstract
Recently there has been a substantial gain in our understanding of the role NK-cells play in mediating innate host immune responses. Although NK cells have long been known to mediate antigen independent tumor cytotoxicity, the therapeutic potential of NK cell-based immunotherapy has yet to be realized. Manipulating the balance between inhibitory and activating NK receptor signals, sensitization of tumor target cells to NK cell-mediated apoptosis, and recent discoveries in NK-cell receptor biology have fueled translational research that has led to clinical trials investigating a number of novel methods to potentiate NK cytotoxicity against human malignancies.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / immunology
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / immunology
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / genetics
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Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / immunology
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Feedback, Physiological / genetics
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Feedback, Physiological / immunology
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Graft vs Tumor Effect / immunology
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Histocompatibility
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Humans
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Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods
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Immunotherapy, Adoptive / trends*
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
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Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
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Neoplasms / immunology*
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Neoplasms / pathology
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Neoplasms / therapy*
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Receptors, KIR / genetics
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Receptors, KIR / immunology
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Receptors, KIR / metabolism*
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism*
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Transfection
Substances
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
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Receptors, KIR
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins