Natural killer cell therapies for non-oncological diseases: A narrative review

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.

Keywords

• Natural killer cell
• Immunotherapy
• Immune checkpoints
• CAR-NK

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