Supercharged “natural killer” cells could be a powerful new cancer weapon
Researchers have found a way to supercharge natural killer cells, powerful immune cells that can attack cancer, so they can penetrate solid tumors and keep fighting once inside. In mice, these specially prepared tissue-resident cells slowed the growth of several tumors, including melanoma and head and neck cancers, and worked even better when paired with the antibody drug cetuximab.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a promising new cancer treatment using "natural killer" cells, a type of immune cell that can rapidly attack abnormal cells. Currently, solid tumors are difficult to treat because immune cells have trouble entering and cancer cells release signals that weaken nearby immune defenses.
The Stanford researchers transformed natural killer cells into a specialized tissue-resident form that can move into solid tumors and destroy cancer cells more effectively. When tested in mice, the modified natural killer cells slowed tumor growth and worked even better when paired with an antibody treatment. Unlike current immune cell therapies, these modified cells could potentially be produced in large batches and made available to many patients, making cell therapy more accessible.
Natural killer cells were first identified in the 1970s for their ability to recognize and destroy abnormal cells, including cancer cells. However, their function within tissues has been unclear. The Stanford team found that by briefly exposing natural killer cells to human epithelial tumor cells, they could produce tissue-resident cells with strong tumor-killing activity.
The research suggests that there are two distinct forms of tissue-resident natural killer cells, each with different functions and activation requirements.
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