Challenges of NK cell-based immunotherapy in the new era

Fang Fang; Weihua Xiao; Zhigang Tian

doi:10.1007/s11684-018-0653-9

Challenges of NK cell-based immunotherapy in the new era

Front Med. 2018 Aug;12(4):440-450. doi: 10.1007/s11684-018-0653-9. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

Authors

Fang Fang^{1

2}, Weihua Xiao^{3

4}, Zhigang Tian^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
² Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China.
³ Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China. [email protected].
⁴ Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China. [email protected].
⁵ Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China. [email protected].
⁶ Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China. [email protected].

PMID: 30047028
DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0653-9

Abstract

Natural killer cells (NKs) have a great potential for cancer immunotherapy because they can rapidly and directly kill transformed cells in the absence of antigen presensitization. Various cellular sources, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), stem cells, and NK cell lines, have been used for producing NK cells. In particular, NK cells that expanded from allogeneic PBMCs exhibit better efficacy than those that did not. However, considering the safety, activities, and reliability of the cell products, researchers must develop an optimal protocol for producing NK cells from PBMCs in the manufacture setting and clinical therapeutic regimen. In this review, the challenges on NK cell-based therapeutic approaches and clinical outcomes are discussed.

Keywords: adoptive transfer; genetic modification; immune checkpoint inhibitor; immunotherapy; natural killer cells.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Immunotherapy / methods*
Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
Neoplasms* / pathology
Neoplasms* / therapy
Treatment Outcome