autologous natural killer cells

Autologous natural killer (NK) cells are a form of cell therapy in which a patient's own NK cells are collected, expanded, and activated ex vivo before being reinfused as a treatment. These cytotoxic lymphocytes play a critical role in the innate immune system by targeting and destroying virus-infected or malignant (cancer) cells without prior sensitization or MHC restriction[2][3][4]. The therapeutic approach leverages the ability of NK cells to recognize stressed or abnormal self-cells through an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Ex vivo expansion increases both the number and cytolytic activity of these patient-derived NK cells[1][5]. Autologous NK cell therapies have been investigated for various cancers—including glioma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), multiple myeloma, lymphoma—as well as for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease[5][6][7][8]. The mechanism involves direct tumor cell lysis via release of cytotoxic granules and induction of apoptosis, as well as secretion of cytokines like interferon-gamma that modulate antitumor immunity[4].

Brand names

SNK01SNK-01SNK 01

Other names

autologous NK cellsex vivo expanded autologous NK cells