Natural Killer Cells: From Defense to Immunotherapy in Cancer

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are central components of the innate immunity. The numerous mechanisms used by NK cells to regulate and control cancer metastasis’ include interactions with tumor cells via specific receptors and ligands as well as exerting direct cytotoxicity and cytokine-induced effector mechanisms. NK cells are also clinically important and represent a good target for anticancer immune therapy in which the host immune system is harnessed for anticancer activities. They also display impaired functionality and capability to infiltrate tumors in cancer patients. In this review, we provide an overview of our current knowledge on NK cell in oncology and immunotherapy. Although NK cells might appear to be redundant in several conditions of immune challenge in humans, their manipulation seems to hold promise in efforts to promote antitumor immunotherapy. Therefore, efforts to enhance the therapeutic benefits of NK cell-based immunotherapy by developing strategies are the subject of intense research.