Supercharged “natural killer” cells could be a powerful new cancer weapon
Stanford researchers have engineered 'tissue-resident' natural killer cells that can effectively infiltrate and destroy solid tumors. This therapy shows promise in mice and could potentially be mass-produced for human patients.
Why it matters
Solid tumors are notoriously difficult to treat with current immunotherapy; this approach could significantly improve cancer survival rates.
Cell therapies that harness the immune system have transformed treatment for some cancers of the blood and lymphatic system. Solid tumors, however, have remained much more difficult to treat because they are harder for immune cells to enter and can release signals that weaken nearby immune defenses.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine and collaborating institutions have now developed a strategy aimed at overcoming those obstacles. Their approach transforms natural killer cells, a type of immune cell known for rapidly attacking abnormal cells, into a specialized tissue resident form that can move into solid tumors and destroy cancer cells.
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