Research Progresses in Biological Characteristics of NK Cells and Anti-Tumor Therapy

CHEN Shasha^1,2*, QUAN Yuhe^3,4, DONG Zhongjun^3,4

（¹the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; ²Institute of Clinical Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; ³School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; ⁴Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract:

NK (natural killer) cells are key innate lymphocytes in the body that perform functions such as anti-tumor and anti-infection. NK cells, unlike adaptive immune cells, lack antigen-specific receptors, giving them distinct biological properties in terms of development, differentiation, and activation. NK cells are linked to a variety of disorders, including cancer and infection diseases. Active restoration of NK cell function in tumor patients or passive transfer of highly active NK cells have emerged as two major approaches in NK cell-based therapies. The former includes NK cell immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine activators, and NK cell engager specific for activating receptors. The latter includes allogeneic NK cell therapy and CAR-NK (chimeric antigen receptor engineered NK) cell therapy. This article will go over the biology of NK cells as well as some recent breakthroughs in NK cell-based biologic therapeutics.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2023.12.0002