Natural killer cell-mediated immunosurveillance of human cancer. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malmberg, Karl-Johan; Carlsten, Mattias; Björklund, Andreas; Sohlberg, Ebba; Bryceson, Yenan T.; Ljunggren, Hans-Gustaf
• Is Part Of: Seminars in immunology. Volume 31(2017)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: ADCC antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity -- AML acute myeloid leukemia -- CMV cytomegalovirus -- CR complete remission -- HL Hodgkin lymphoma -- HLA human leukocyte antigen -- HLH hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis -- KIR killer cell inhibitory immunoglobulin-like receptor -- MDS myelodysplastic syndrome -- MHC major histocompatibility complex -- MIC MHC class I-related chain -- MM multiple myeloma -- NCR natural cytotoxicity receptors -- NK natural killer -- PR partial response -- SCT stem cell transplantation; Natural killer cell -- NK cell -- Cancer -- Tumor -- Leukemia -- Immunoediting -- Immunosurveillance -- Immunotherapy -- Immune escape -- Missing self -- Induced self -- MHC class I -- HLA; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Immunity -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2017.08.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1044-5323

Abstract

Abstract: The contribution of natural killer (NK) cells to immunosurveillance of human cancer remains debatable. Here, we discuss advances in several areas of human NK cell research, many of which support the ability of NK cells to prevent cancer development and avoid relapse following adoptive immunotherapy. We describe the molecular basis for NK cell recognition of human tumor cells and provide evidence for NK cell-mediated killing of human primary tumor cells ex vivo . Subsequently, we highlight studies demonstrating the ability of NK cells to migrate to, and reside in, the human tumor microenvironment where selection of tumor escape variants from NK cells can occur. Indirect evidence for NK cell immunosurveillance against human malignancies is provided by the reduced incidence of cancer in individuals with high levels of NK cell cytotoxicity, and the significant clinical responses observed following infusion of human NK cells into cancer patients. Finally, we describe studies showing enhanced tumor progression, or increased cancer incidence, in patients with inherited and acquired defects in cellular cytotoxicity. All these observations have in common that they, either indirectly or directly, suggest a role for NK cells in mediating immunosurveillance against human cancer. This opens up for exciting possibilities with respect to further exploring NK cells in settings of adoptive immunotherapy in human cancer.