allogeneic natural killer cells (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)

Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte used in cellular immunotherapy, specifically in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In the protocol developed by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, these cells are derived from a haploidentical (partially matched) family donor. Following a T-lymphocyte depleted stem cell transplant, these NK cells are infused into the patient (typically infants with high-risk hematologic malignancies) to provide an early graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect, reduce the risk of disease relapse, and potentially decrease the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and infection. NK cells function by recognizing and killing tumor cells that lack major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules or express stress-induced ligands, utilizing receptors such as killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs).

Other names

NK cellsdonor-derived natural killer cellsallogeneic NK cell infusion