@article{article_1707952, title={Natural killer cell therapies for non-oncological diseases: A narrative review}, journal={Marmara Medical Journal}, volume={38}, pages={98–107}, year={2025}, DOI={10.5472/marumj.1707952}, author={Kırkık, Duygu and Aydın, Furkan and Kalkanlı Taş, Sevgi}, keywords={Natural killer cell, Immunotherapy, Immune checkpoints, CAR-NK}, abstract={Natural killer (NK) cells represent a critical component of the innate immune system, contributing to the surveillance and elimination
of infected or aberrant cells. While, extensively studied as in the case of cancer immunotherapy as they hold potential to recognize
cancer cells without prior exposure, their potential therapeutic applications extend beyond oncology to encompass a spectrum of
non-oncological diseases. This review discusses the evolving landscape of NK cell therapies for non-oncological diseases, focusing
on their roles in infection, chronic inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune disorders. Further, this paper delves into the intricate
interplay between NK cells and immune checkpoints such as T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), T cell
Ig – and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (TIM-3), and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), elucidating their influence on
NK cell functionality and their implications for disease pathogenesis. Additionally, the discussion highlights the emerging paradigm
of chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cells as a promising avenue for targeted therapy in diseases such as severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and autoimmune disorders. By
synthesizing findings from diverse studies, it underscores the therapeutic potential of NK cell-based interventions in non-oncological
diseases. Furthermore, it encompasses the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying NK cell function in these
contexts, optimize therapeutic strategies, and translate these advancements into clinical practice.}, number={2}, publisher={Marmara University}