TY - JOUR AB - Natural killer (NK) cells are specialized lymphocytes primarily involved in the response to infection and tumors. NK cells are characterized by the presence of specific surface molecules, as well as a wide repertoire of receptors that impart microenvironment‑dependent effector functions. Among these receptors, Toll‑like receptors (TLRs) can be activated to condition the NK response to either a cytotoxic or immunoregulatory phenotype. However, cellular function is frequently impaired during disorders such as cancer. In the last decade, it has become increasingly evident that the stimulation of NK cells is a requirement for their increased cytotoxic activity. TLR activation has been suggested as an alternative route for reestablishing the antitumor activity of NK cells. The present review summarizes the characteristics of NK cells, their receptors, the expression and function of NK cell TLRs, and their functional status in cancer, primarily acute lymphoblastic leukemia. AD - Immunology and Proteomics Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico AU - Gallardo‑Zapata,Janet AU - Maldonado‑Bernal,Carmen DA - 2021/11/01 DO - 10.3892/ol.2021.13009 IS - 5 JO - Oncol Lett KW - natural killer cells Toll‑like receptors acute lymphoblastic leukemia cytotoxic phenotype immunoregulatory phenotype PY - 2021 SN - 1792-1074 1792-1082 SP - 748 ST - Role of Toll‑like receptors in natural killer cell function in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Review) T2 - Oncology Letters TI - Role of Toll‑like receptors in natural killer cell function in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.13009 VL - 22 ER -