title: Immunological and Translational Aspects of NK Cell-Based Antitumor Immunotherapies.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the first line of defense against cancer. NK cells that are deficient in CD3 and a clonal T cell receptor (TCR) can be subdivided into two major subtypes, CD56dimCD16+cytotoxic and CD56brightCD16-immunoregulatory NK cells. Cytotoxic NK cells not only directly kill tumor cells without previous stimulation by cytotoxic effector molecules, such as perforin and granzymes orviadeath receptor interactions, but also act as regulatory cells for the immune system by secreting cytokines and chemokines. The aim of this review is to highlight therapeutic strategies utilizing autologous and allogenic NK cells, combinations of NK cells with monoclonal antibodies to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, we discuss the use of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Maxim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shevtsov
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Experimental Immune Biology, Institute for innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Multhoff
keywords: antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity; checkpoint inhibitors; chimeric antigen receptor; immunotherapy; monoclonal antibody; natural killer cell