title: Invariant natural killer T cells in immune surveillance and tumor immunotherapy: perspectives and potentials.
abstract: Although various elements of the immune system are involved in detection and elimination of neoplastic cells, immune surveillance mechanisms are not always successful in eradicating cancer. Invariant natural killer T cells are potent immunomodulatory lymphocytes that secrete large amounts of Th-1 and/or Th-2 cytokines in response to glycolipid agonists. The observed role of invariant natural killer T cells in antitumor immunity in various animal models and the relatively recent identification and availability of Invariant natural killer T cell glycolipid ligands with anticancer properties such as -galactosylceramide have led to several invariant natural killer T cell-based clinical trials in cancer patients with somewhat promising outcomes. The objective of this article is to provide a short overview on immunobiology of invariant natural killer T cells followed by their potential applications in treatment of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Mansour.Haeryfar@schulich.uwo.ca
authors.forename: S M Mansour
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Haeryfar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000379:methods*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation*