Natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NK cell cytotoxicity)

The entry "Tumor cell lysis by natural killer cell cytotoxicity" does not refer to a specific molecule or receptor but rather describes a biological process. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune lymphocytes that recognize and kill tumor cells and virally infected cells without prior sensitization. They mediate this effect through two main mechanisms: 1. Release of lytic granules containing perforin and granzymes, which induce apoptosis in target cells. 2. Engagement of death receptors on target cells via ligands such as Fas ligand (FasL) or TRAIL expressed on the NK cell surface, triggering apoptotic pathways. Additionally, NK cells can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), where antibodies bound to tumor antigens are recognized by FcγRIII (CD16) receptors on the NK cell surface—this is a key mechanism for several therapeutic monoclonal antibodies used in cancer treatment such as rituximab and ofatumumab. Because this entry refers to an immune effector function rather than a discrete molecular entity like a receptor or enzyme, it is not considered a canonical therapeutic target itself but rather describes how certain drugs leverage the activity of endogenous immune components for anti-tumor effects.

Other names

NK cell-mediated tumor lysisNK cell killingnatural killer cytolytic activityNK-mediated cytotoxicity

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC); Perforin/granzyme-mediated apoptosis; Death receptor (FasL/TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis