membrane-bound interleukin-21-expanded haploidentical natural killer cells

Membrane-bound interleukin-21-expanded haploidentical natural killer cells (FC21-NK cells) are an investigational adoptive cell therapy developed by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The therapy involves the ex vivo expansion of NK cells derived from a haploidentical donor using a proprietary K562 feeder cell line genetically engineered to express membrane-bound interleukin-21 (mbIL-21) and 4-1BBL. This process promotes robust proliferation and enhances the cytotoxic potential of the NK cells. In clinical application, patients typically undergo lymphodepleting chemotherapy, such as the FLAG regimen, prior to receiving multiple infusions of the expanded NK cells. The mechanism of action relies on the innate ability of the expanded NK cells to recognize and destroy leukemic blasts through the release of perforins and granzymes, as well as through death receptor-mediated apoptosis, providing a potent graft-versus-tumor effect without the significant risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Other names

IL-21-expanded natural killer cellsIL21-expanded natural killer cellsIL 21-expanded natural killer cellsmbIL-21 expanded NK cellsmbIL21 expanded NK cellsmbIL 21 expanded NK cellshaploidentical NK cells expanded with mbIL-21 and 4-1BBL