title: Harnessing natural killer T (NKT) cells in human myeloma: progress and challenges.
abstract: Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy characterized by growth of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Tumor cells in myeloma express CD1d and are sensitive to lysis by CD1d restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells. Here we discuss recent studies to harness the properties of these cells in the context of human myeloma. In spite of large body of preclinical data, attempts to fully harness the properties of these cells in the clinic are in early stages. Early phase clinical studies document the capacity of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells to expand NKT cells in vivo in myeloma patients. These results have set the stage for ongoing studies combining NKT activation with immune-modulatory drugs. Lessons learnt from these studies may inform the optimal application of human NKT based therapies in other settings as well.
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. madhav.dhodapkar@yale.edu
authors.forename: Madhav V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Dhodapkar
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000379:methods; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D005699:Galactosylceramides; C103873:KRN 7000