Drug intelligence / Profile preview

expanded natural killer cells

Development stage: Phase 2
Lead developer: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Modality: CAR-NK Cells → Other Engineered Cells → Adoptive Cell Transfer → Cell Therapies, Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells → Native Immune Cells → Adoptive Cell Transfer → Cell Therapies
Administration: Intravenous

Overview

Expanded natural killer (ENK) cells are an investigational cell-based immunotherapy developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Myeloma Institute for the treatment of high-risk multiple myeloma. These cells are generated by taking natural killer cells and expanding them ex vivo using K562 feeder cells modified to express membrane-bound interleukin-15 (IL-15) and the costimulatory molecule 4-1BBL. This process activates and significantly increases the number of NK cells to enhance their anti-tumor potency. The therapy is primarily evaluated in combination regimens, such as with the monoclonal antibody elotuzumab and the IL-15 superagonist ALT-803, following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The mechanism of action involves direct natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity against myeloma cells and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) when used alongside targeting antibodies.

Other names: ex vivo expanded natural killer cellsENKexpanded NK cells

Targets

TNFRSF9 (CD137 extracellular domain)SLAMF7 (Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 7)IL-15R (Interleukin 15 receptor alpha/interleukin 15 complex)

Beyond the preview

Go deeper on expanded natural killer cells.

Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.

Clinical trials

Follow clinical development from study design and recruitment through results.

Trial phase
Status
Readouts

Indications & development

Explore development by indication, patient population, and geography.

Indications
Development status
Countries

Licensing & deals

Trace asset ownership, licensing agreements, and commercial partnerships.

Partners
Deal terms
Milestones

Patents & exclusivity

Explore the patent landscape and regulatory exclusivity around an asset.

Patents
Expiration dates
Exclusivity

Competitive landscape

Compare development programs by target, modality, and indication.

Competing assets
Targets
Development stage

Research & analysis

Connect source evidence and development news to your research questions.

Publications
News
Analysis

Bring the full picture into focus.

See how Gosset can support your research on expanded natural killer cells.

Explore the full profile