Research Progress of NK Cells in Glioblastoma Treatment

Onco Targets Ther. 2025 Jan 18:18:87-106. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S486411. eCollection 2025.

Abstract

NK cells are a type of antitumor immune cell with promising clinical application, following T cells. The activity of NK cells is primarily regulated by their surface receptors and immune microenvironment. In gliomas, the tumor microenvironment exerts a strong immunosuppressive effect, which significantly reduces the clinical efficacy of NK cell immunotherapy. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the latest research on the role of NK cells in glioma immunotherapy, focusing on aspects such as NK cell development, function, and localization. It summarizes information on the compounds, monoclonal antibodies, and cytokine therapies targeting NK cells while emphasizing the current status and trends of gene-modified NK cells in glioma treatment. Additionally, it explores the molecular mechanisms underlying immune escape in glioma cells, providing a theoretical foundation and new perspectives for NK cell-based immunotherapy in gliomas.

Keywords: glioblastoma; inhibitory factors; survival rates; therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

1. Shaanxi Provincial Key Research and Development Plan Project Support (2020ZDLSF01-02) 2. Doctor Foundation of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University (No. X2Y-R11).