NKT cells - conductors of tumor immunity?

Curr Opin Immunol. 2002 Apr;14(2):165-71. doi: 10.1016/s0952-7915(02)00316-3.

Abstract

NKT cells are key players in the regulation of antitumor immunity, particularly in experimental models of tumor immunotherapy, such as IL-12 or alpha-galactosylceramide administration. They may also operate in natural antitumor immunity. NKT cells are best known for their immunosuppressive functions; however, NKT cells interact with a range of other cell types (particularly dendritic cells and NK cells) and the outcome of NKT-cell stimulation depends on these and on the cytokine/co-stimulatory milieu.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Galactosylceramides / immunology
  • Galactosylceramides / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interleukin-12 / immunology
  • Interleukin-12 / therapeutic use
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interferon-gamma