Harnessing the power of natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapyJanuary 28, 2025
In the human body exist an intricate immune system that consists of a network of organ, cells, and proteins that work together to protect the body from invaders (germs, viruses, bacteria) and also protects its own cells. One key aspect of the immune system is the Natural Killer cells or more commonly known as the NK cells.
What are Natural Killer cells? Natural Killer cells or NK cells are a type of lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell), a broad category of cells that includes T cell and B cell. They are part of the innate immune system that guards the body from infections and diseases. NK cells are highly specialized and cytotoxic cells that are able to differentiate between the healthy and infected cells without prior exposure to antigen. Characteristics of the NK cells NK cells can be characterized by several key features:
Function of the NK cells NK cell has several key functions that are important in the body:
Dysfunction of NK cells Given the crucial role of NK cells, an impaired NK cell function would lead to dysfunctional immune response.
NK cells in cancer treatment Cancer cells are normal cells that have undergone mutation. However, cancer patients often have dysfunctional immune system which lead to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. NK cells can be found in our blood where they make up 5-15% of the lymphocytes. To obtain the NK cells, it needs to be extracted from the blood. Sources of NK cells In therapy, NK cells can be isolated from two sources; autologous (own blood) and allogeneic (donor’s blood). Autologous means that the NK cells are obtained from the patient itself while allogeneic means that the NK cells are obtained from an unrelated donor. There are key points to consider for both approaches. Autologous (Own blood)
Allogeneic (From donor)
NK cells in our immune system eliminate cancer cells and virus-infected cells. Their ability to target cells without any prior introduction to the pathogens is crucial for a quick immune response. They also modulate immune response through the release of chemical mediators to signal other immune cells in the event of inflammation or infections. In cancer therapy, the source of NK cells plays a role in determining the efficacy of the treatment. Overall, NK cells are vital in maintaining a healthy immune system. |
