OncoImmunology (Feb 2019)

Acute myeloid leukemia and NK cells: two warriors confront each other

  • Aroa Baragaño Raneros,
  • Carlos López-Larrea,
  • Beatriz Suárez-Álvarez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/2162402X.2018.1539617
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 2

Abstract

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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease whose therapies currently show elevated toxicity and a high rate of relapse. Recently, the burgeoning of new anti-tumor therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing the immune response has pushed natural killer cells (NKs) into the spotlight. These cells are powerful warriors that can bring about the lysis of tumor cells through their cytotoxic ability. However, tumor cells have developed strategies to evade recognition mediated by NKs. Here, we review the mechanisms triggered by AML cells and discuss the emerging immunotherapeutic strategies that potentiate the anti-tumor functions of NKs.

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