Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral Cancer
NK cells have traditionally been classified as effectors of innate immunity, even though they also exhibit some features of adaptive immunity such as memory. NK cells contribute to the lysis and growth inhibition of cancer, mediating direct cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Immuno |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5601/5/1/8 |
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| author | Kawaljit Kaur Anahid Jewett |
| author_facet | Kawaljit Kaur Anahid Jewett |
| author_sort | Kawaljit Kaur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | NK cells have traditionally been classified as effectors of innate immunity, even though they also exhibit some features of adaptive immunity such as memory. NK cells contribute to the lysis and growth inhibition of cancer, mediating direct cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and regulating the functions of other immune cells, respectively. NK cells regulate the function of other immune cells via the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Currently, NK cell therapeutics in oral cancer have been less efficient due to several limitations, as follows: (a) lower percentages of NK cells in peripheral blood immune cells; (b) limited survival and decreased function of NK cells, especially in the tumor microenvironment; and (c) a lack of tools or methodologies to expand and activate NK cells to the levels that are required for the effective targeting of oral cancer. To overcome these limitations, we established and demonstrated a novel technology for activating and expanding highly functional NK cells coined as supercharged NK (sNK) cells. This review summarizes the characteristics of sNK cells and highlights their superior anti-cancer activity when compared to primary activated NK cells. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dbf6060bf5b14cabb68e3b1933e6b4ba |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-5601 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Immuno |
| spelling | doaj-art-dbf6060bf5b14cabb68e3b1933e6b4ba2025-08-20T03:43:16ZengMDPI AGImmuno2673-56012025-02-0151810.3390/immuno5010008Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral CancerKawaljit Kaur0Anahid Jewett1Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USADivision of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USANK cells have traditionally been classified as effectors of innate immunity, even though they also exhibit some features of adaptive immunity such as memory. NK cells contribute to the lysis and growth inhibition of cancer, mediating direct cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and regulating the functions of other immune cells, respectively. NK cells regulate the function of other immune cells via the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Currently, NK cell therapeutics in oral cancer have been less efficient due to several limitations, as follows: (a) lower percentages of NK cells in peripheral blood immune cells; (b) limited survival and decreased function of NK cells, especially in the tumor microenvironment; and (c) a lack of tools or methodologies to expand and activate NK cells to the levels that are required for the effective targeting of oral cancer. To overcome these limitations, we established and demonstrated a novel technology for activating and expanding highly functional NK cells coined as supercharged NK (sNK) cells. This review summarizes the characteristics of sNK cells and highlights their superior anti-cancer activity when compared to primary activated NK cells.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5601/5/1/8IFN-?NK cellsOSCSCsOSCCshu-BLTdifferentiation |
| spellingShingle | Kawaljit Kaur Anahid Jewett Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral Cancer Immuno IFN-? NK cells OSCSCs OSCCs hu-BLT differentiation |
| title | Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral Cancer |
| title_full | Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral Cancer |
| title_fullStr | Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral Cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral Cancer |
| title_short | Super-Charged Natural Killer Cells: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Oral Cancer |
| title_sort | super charged natural killer cells a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for oral cancer |
| topic | IFN-? NK cells OSCSCs OSCCs hu-BLT differentiation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5601/5/1/8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kawaljitkaur superchargednaturalkillercellsapromisingimmunotherapeuticstrategyfororalcancer AT anahidjewett superchargednaturalkillercellsapromisingimmunotherapeuticstrategyfororalcancer |