title: Does an NKT-cell-based immunotherapeutic approach have a future in multiple myeloma?
abstract: Natural killer T (NKT) cells constitute a unique subset of innate-like T lymphocytes which differ from conventional T cells by recognizing lipid antigens presented by the non-polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I-like molecule CD1d. Despite being a relatively infrequent population of lymphocytes, NKT cells can respond rapidly upon activation with glycosphingolipids by production of cytokines which aim to polarize different axes of the immune system. Due to their dual effector capacities, NKT cells can play a vital role in cancer immunity, infection, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. It is believed that modulation of their activity towards immune activation can be a useful tool in anti-tumor immunotherapeutic strategies. Here we summarize the characteristics of NKT cells and discuss their involvement in immunosurveillance. Furthermore, an update is given about their role and the progress that has been made in the field of multiple myeloma (MM). Finally, some challenges are discussed that are currently hampering further progress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.|Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, VIB Inflammation Research Center and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mérédis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Favreau
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanderkerken
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, VIB Inflammation Research Center and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elewaut
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, VIB Inflammation Research Center and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Venken
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: NKT cells; myeloma; tumor immunity