Making a Killer: Selecting the Optimal Natural Killer Cells for Improved Immunotherapies

Over the past 20 years natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies have emerged as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory leukemia. Unlike T cell-based therapies, NK cells harbor an innate capacity to eliminate malignant cells without prior sensitization and can be adoptively transferred between individuals without the need for extensive HLA matching.

Citation:
Barnes SA, Trew I, de Jong E, Foley B. Making a Killer: Selecting the Optimal Natural Killer Cells for Improved Immunotherapies. Front Immunol. 2021;12.

Keywords:
Cancer immunotherapy; cell metabolism; donor selection; epigenetics; natural killer cells; antineoplastic activity; cell therapy; mediated cytotoxicity; review

Abstract:
Over the past 20 years natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies have emerged as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory leukemia. Unlike T cell-based therapies, NK cells harbor an innate capacity to eliminate malignant cells without prior sensitization and can be adoptively transferred between individuals without the need for extensive HLA matching.