Open Access

Natural killer cell‑based immunotherapy for lung cancer: Challenges and perspectives (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Yongqin Zeng
    • Xiuzhi Lv
    • Juan Du
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 8, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2021.8183
  • Article Number: 232
  • Copyright: © Zeng et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Despite the marked success of molecular targeted therapy in lung cancer in this era of personalized medicine, its efficacy has been limited by the presence of resistance mechanisms. The prognosis of patients with lung cancer remains poor, and there is an unmet need to develop more effective therapies to improve clinical outcomes. The increasing insight into the human immune system has led to breakthroughs in immunotherapy and has prompted research interest in employing immunotherapy to treat lung cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells, which serve as the first line of defense against tumors, can induce the innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, the use of NK cells for the development of novel lung‑cancer immunotherapy strategies is promising. A growing number of novel approaches that boost NK cell antitumor immunity and expand NK cell populations ex vivo now provide a platform for the development of antitumor immunotherapy. The present review outlined the biology of NK cells, summarized the role of NK cells in lung cancer and the effect of the tumor microenvironment on NK cells, highlighted the potential of NK cell‑based immunotherapy as an effective therapeutic strategy for lung cancer and discussed future directions.
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November-2021
Volume 46 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Zeng Y, Lv X and Du J: Natural killer cell‑based immunotherapy for lung cancer: Challenges and perspectives (Review). Oncol Rep 46: 232, 2021
APA
Zeng, Y., Lv, X., & Du, J. (2021). Natural killer cell‑based immunotherapy for lung cancer: Challenges and perspectives (Review). Oncology Reports, 46, 232. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2021.8183
MLA
Zeng, Y., Lv, X., Du, J."Natural killer cell‑based immunotherapy for lung cancer: Challenges and perspectives (Review)". Oncology Reports 46.5 (2021): 232.
Chicago
Zeng, Y., Lv, X., Du, J."Natural killer cell‑based immunotherapy for lung cancer: Challenges and perspectives (Review)". Oncology Reports 46, no. 5 (2021): 232. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2021.8183