Expanded, Activated Haploidentical Natural Killer Cells

Expanded, Activated Haploidentical Natural Killer Cells refer to an investigational adoptive cell therapy developed by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This therapy involves the ex vivo expansion and activation of natural killer (NK) cells obtained from a haploidentical (partially HLA-matched) family donor. The expansion process typically utilizes a specialized method, such as co-culture with K562-mb15-41BBL feeder cells, to enhance the cells' proliferative capacity and anti-tumor cytotoxicity. In clinical application, these cells are infused into pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory non-B lineage hematologic malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), as well as certain solid tumors like Ewing sarcoma. The treatment is administered following a lymphodepleting chemotherapy regimen (typically consisting of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine) and is often supported by interleukin-2 (IL-2) to promote cell survival and expansion in vivo. The therapeutic effect is mediated by the innate ability of NK cells to recognize and eliminate malignant cells, particularly leveraging KIR-HLA mismatches to bypass inhibitory signals.

Other names

chemotherapy-St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-acute myeloid leukemia-T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia-T-cell lymphoblastic lymphomaHaploidentical donor derived natural killer cell infusionExpanded NK cellsActivated NK cellsExpanded, Activated Haploidentical NK Cells