title: Invariant natural killer T cell-based immunotherapy for cancer.
abstract: Human Valpha24 invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a distinct lymphocyte population, characterized by an invariant T-cell receptor Valpha24 chain paired mainly with Valpha11. Valpha24 iNKT cells are activated by a glycolipid ligand - alpha-galactosylceramide - and produce a large amount of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, thereby modulating the function of other cells. iNKT cells have the capability to control a wide variety of immune responses, including antitumor immunity. Abnormalities in the number and function of Valpha24 iNKT cells have been observed in patients with malignant diseases accompanied with a poor clinical outcome. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that focused on the restoration of Valpha24 iNKT cell population and function would be a reasonable rationale for the treatment of cancer. In this article, the progress to date in the clinical studies of iNKT cell-based immunotherapy is briefly reviewed and the role of Valpha24 iNKT cells in cancer immunotherapy is highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Motohashi
authors.forename: Toshinori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D005699:Galactosylceramides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; C528689:Valpha24 protein, human