Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion

Since researchers first began to uncover the mechanisms underlying allogeneic transplantation, the focus has been on T cells. T cells are a major instigator of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The clear association between GVHD occurrence and subsequent reduction in relapse supported concentrating...

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Main Author: Shannon R. McCurdy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Society for Clinical Investigation 2022-06-01
Series:The Journal of Clinical Investigation
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI160584
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author Shannon R. McCurdy
author_facet Shannon R. McCurdy
author_sort Shannon R. McCurdy
collection DOAJ
description Since researchers first began to uncover the mechanisms underlying allogeneic transplantation, the focus has been on T cells. T cells are a major instigator of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The clear association between GVHD occurrence and subsequent reduction in relapse supported concentrating on T cells as the masterminds behind graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects. Recently, an alternative mediator of GVT has taken center stage: natural killer (NK) cells. Part of the appeal of NK cells is their potential to provide antitumor immunity without GVHD. Donor lymphocyte infusion has been the predominant treatment of relapse after allogeneic transplant, but the mix of lymphocytes includes CD8+ T cells and, consequently, a substantial risk for GVHD. In this issue of the JCI, Shapiro and colleagues developed an adoptive NK cell transfer platform to treat relapse after haploidentical allogeneic transplant. The study demonstrated safety, sought to determine resistance mechanisms, and provided avenues for future research.
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spelling doaj.art-77a08ad3ae0746c8870a100e3cc93a992022-12-22T02:41:08ZengAmerican Society for Clinical InvestigationThe Journal of Clinical Investigation1558-82382022-06-0113211Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusionShannon R. McCurdySince researchers first began to uncover the mechanisms underlying allogeneic transplantation, the focus has been on T cells. T cells are a major instigator of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The clear association between GVHD occurrence and subsequent reduction in relapse supported concentrating on T cells as the masterminds behind graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects. Recently, an alternative mediator of GVT has taken center stage: natural killer (NK) cells. Part of the appeal of NK cells is their potential to provide antitumor immunity without GVHD. Donor lymphocyte infusion has been the predominant treatment of relapse after allogeneic transplant, but the mix of lymphocytes includes CD8+ T cells and, consequently, a substantial risk for GVHD. In this issue of the JCI, Shapiro and colleagues developed an adoptive NK cell transfer platform to treat relapse after haploidentical allogeneic transplant. The study demonstrated safety, sought to determine resistance mechanisms, and provided avenues for future research.https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI160584
spellingShingle Shannon R. McCurdy
Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
title Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion
title_full Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion
title_fullStr Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion
title_short Harnessing allogeneic NK cells: improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion
title_sort harnessing allogeneic nk cells improving outcomes with tailored donor lymphocyte infusion
url https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI160584
work_keys_str_mv AT shannonrmccurdy harnessingallogeneicnkcellsimprovingoutcomeswithtailoreddonorlymphocyteinfusion