K Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer: Evaluating Recognition Strategies and Overcoming Limitations

A lymphocyte of the innate immune response, Natural Killer (NK) cells are phenotypically defined by the absence of CD3 and the presence of CD56 on their surface.1, 2 Functionally, they resemble CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.3 NK cells derive their name from their ability to spontaneously kill their targets without the need for a prior encounter of the antigen, as they have readily available lytic granules that can activate within minutes,4 unlike their T cell counterparts. NK cell targets include stressed, virally-infected, and transformed cells.
Source: Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research