title: NK cell-mediated targeting of human cancer and possibilities for new means of immunotherapy.
abstract: Insights into the molecular basis for natural killer (NK) cell recognition of human cancer have been obtained in recent years. Here, we review current knowledge on the molecular specificity and function of human NK cells. Evidence for NK cell targeting of human tumors is provided and new strategies for NK cell-based immunotherapy against human cancer are discussed. Based on current knowledge, we foresee a development where more cancers may be subject to treatment with drugs or other immunomodulatory agents affecting NK cells, either directly or indirectly. We also envisage a possibility that certain forms of cancers may be subject to treatment with adoptively transferred NK cells, either alone or in combination with other therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden. Kalle.Malmberg@ki.se
authors.forename: Karl-Johan
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Malmberg
authors.forename: Yenan T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Bryceson
authors.forename: Mattias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carlsten
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Björklund
authors.forename: Niklas K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Björkström
authors.forename: Bettina C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fauriat
authors.forename: Evren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alici
authors.forename: M Sirac
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dilber
authors.forename: Hans-Gustaf
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Ljunggren
mesh_terms: D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*