Interleukin signaling in the regulation of natural killer cells biology in breast cancer

Front Immunol. 2024 Sep 24:15:1449441. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1449441. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

In the field of breast cancer treatment, the immunotherapy involving natural killer (NK) cells is increasingly highlighting its distinct potential and significance. Members of the interleukin (IL) family play pivotal regulatory roles in the growth, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis of NK cells, and are central to their anti-tumor activity. These cytokines enhance the ability of NK cells to recognize and eliminate tumor cells by binding to specific receptors and activating downstream signaling pathways. Furthermore, interleukins do not function in isolation; the synergistic or antagonistic interactions between different interleukins can drive NK cells toward various functional pathways, ultimately leading to diverse outcomes for breast cancer patients. This paper reviews the intricate relationship between NK cells and interleukins, particularly within the breast cancer tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we summarize the latest clinical studies and advancements in NK cell therapy for breast cancer, along with the potential applications of interleukin signaling in these therapies. In conclusion, this article underscores the critical role of NK cells and interleukin signaling in breast cancer treatment, providing valuable insights and a significant reference for future research and clinical practice.

Keywords: breast cancer; immunology; immunotherapy; interleukin; natural killer cell; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukins* / immunology
  • Interleukins* / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural* / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukins

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of the Hunan Province of China (Grant No. 2022JJ70143, 2022JJ70122); Wu Jieping Medical Foundation Clinical Research Special Grant Fund (Grant No. 320.6750.2023-18-17); Xinrui Tumor Support Therapy Research Project(Grant No. cphcf-2023-022); The China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2023M733955).