autologous iNKT cells

Autologous iNKT cells are **invariant natural killer T (iNKT) lymphocytes** derived from a patient's own blood, expanded ex vivo, and reinfused as an adoptive cell therapy. iNKT cells are characterized by a semi-invariant T-cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes lipid antigens presented by CD1d molecules, enabling rapid activation and potent cytotoxicity without conventional HLA restriction. As a cell therapy, autologous iNKT treatments seek to exploit their immunoregulatory and anti-tumor effects, which include direct tumor cell killing (via perforin, granzyme B, and FasL), cytokine secretion, and anti-tumor immune microenvironment remodeling. Clinical trials have demonstrated that ex vivo expanded autologous iNKT cells can be safely administered intravenously, with observed immune activation and occasional tumor response in cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and pancreatic cancer. These therapies are usually experimental, largely developed in research hospitals, and have shown a favorable safety profile relative to other adoptive cell therapies[1][2][3].

Other names

autologous invariant natural killer T cellsautologous NKT cells