Tumor-associated antigen (as recognized by activating natural killer cell receptors) (null)

Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) recognized via activating natural killer (NK) cell receptors are a diverse group of molecules abnormally or highly expressed on the surface of cancer cells. These antigens can be proteins, lipids, or carbohydrate structures that serve as ligands for several families of activating receptors on NK cells—such as NKG2D, the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NKp30, NKp44, NKp46), and DNAM. Direct recognition of these stress-induced ligands enables NK cells, a key component of the innate immune system, to rapidly identify and kill abnormal cells. Therapeutically, monoclonal antibodies targeting certain TAAs (e.g., CD20, HER2) can engage NK cell Fc receptors (CD16), promoting antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The targeting of TAAs via NK cell activation is central to immune surveillance and antitumor responses, but clinical efforts are complicated by tumor heterogeneity, antigen loss, and immunosuppressive factors within the tumor microenvironment[1][3][4][5][6].

Other names

Tumor antigen recognized by NK cellsTumor-associated NK cell ligand

**ADCC (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity):** Tumor antigens are targeted by therapeutic antibodies, which then recruit and activate NK cells via Fc receptor (CD16) to mediate killing of the tumor cell[1][4][6]. - **Direct recognition:** Activating NK cell receptors (such as NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, DNAM) recognize stress-induced ligands or altered-self markers (tumor-associated antigens) on tumor cells, leading to release of cytotoxic granules and cytokines[3][5][6].