Natural killer cells (NK cells) are the lymphocytes which belong to the same family as B and T cells, because they differentiate from a common progenitor. These cells detect and control early signs of cancer, and also recognize and kill virally infected cells. Specialized natural killer cells are found in placenta and are also known to play an important role in pregnancy. To enhance the immune system, natural killer cells secrete cytokines such as IFNγ and TNFα which act on other immune cells. Activating receptors recognize the molecules which are present on the surface of infected and cancer cells and switch on the natural killer cells. This book explores all the important aspects of natural killer cells. It brings forth the role of natural killer cells in disease response. In this book, using case studies and examples, constant effort has been made to make the understanding of the difficult concepts of this field as easy and informative as possible, for the readers.

Successes and Challenges of NK Immunotherapy: Increasing Anti-tumor Efficacy describes the unique therapeutic applications of NK cells to fight cancers and eliminate the bulk and subset of cancer stem cells responsible for metastasis, relapse and recurrences. The book provides information on the development, engineering, mechanisms of action, response to various preclinical models, and applications in various clinical trials. Sections cover the development of highly engineered cytotoxic NK cells, their mechanisms of action, preclinical and clinical applications, the development and application of CAR-NK cells, and new NK-drug conjugates, also emphasizing that activated NK cells can target and kill highly resistant cancer stem cells. Written by the leading experts on NK immunotherapy worldwide, this is a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians and members of the biomedical field who are interested in understanding novel and efficient therapies to fight cancers. Discusses the unique developmental applications of NK immunotherapy against cancers, which differs greatly from other types of immunotherapies Provides up-to-date and highly relevant information through chapters written by the leading researchers in the field Presents a significant number of schematic diagrams for easy understanding and reproducibility

NK Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy: Successes and Challenges explains the latest immunotherapeutic strategies, focusing on NK cells to allow the best and precise combination treatments to cancer patients. The book provides existing background knowledge in the field of immunotherapy and discusses future areas of research required to carry out cutting-edge, validated therapies. Chapters cover advances in immunotherapeutic strategies, in particular, the use of NK cells with and without T-cell therapy in the treatment of cancer. The book is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, oncologists, graduate students and those interested in learning more about novel strategies to treat cancer patients. Immunotherapy is fast becoming the method of choice for cancer therapy. Although remarkable advances have been made in the field of immunotherapy, there are significant challenges and difficulties ahead since many of the current immunotherapeutic strategies do not provide long-lasting treatment strategies, and therefore are not very effective. Covers CAR/T and CAR/NK and adoptive NK cell therapy with and without T cell therapies Discusses basic biology of NK cells and mouse models of human cancers and the role of NK cells in metastatic cancer and in cancer stem cells Encompasses information on combination therapies using check point inhibition, adoptive transfer of cytotoxic effector cells, chemotherapeutic drugs and activating and inhibitory antibodies

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that have a significant role in regulating the defenses against cancer development and certain viral infections. They are equipped with an array of activating and inhibitory receptors that stimulate or diminish NK cell activity, respectively. Inhibitory receptors include, among others, the MHC class I ligands killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) in humans, and members of the Ly49 family of receptors in mice, and CD94/NKG2A. Activating receptors include cytokine and chemokine receptors, and those that interact with ligands expressed on target cells, such as the natural cytotoxicity receptors or NCRs (NKp30, NKp44 and NKp46), NKG2D, CD244 and DNAM-1. In addition, NK cells express Fc?RIIIA or CD16, the receptor that exerts antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). NK cells also express the death ligands FasL and TRAIL. The killing or sparing of target cells depends on the integration of distinct signals that originate from NK cell receptors. NK cells spare healthy cells that express normal levels of MHC class I molecules and low amounts of stress-induced self-molecules, whereas they kill target cells that down-regulate MHC class I molecules and/or up-regulate stress-induced self-molecules. The latter are common signatures of virus-infected cells and tumors. All the accumulated knowledge on NK cell biology, along with many clinical observations, is driving multiple efforts to improve the arsenal of NK cell-based therapeutic tools in the fight against malignant diseases. Indeed, NK cell-based immunotherapy is becoming a promising approach for the treatment of many cancers. It is well known that NK cells have a significant role in the anti-tumor effect of therapeutic antibodies that use ADCC as a mechanism of action. In addition to this, administration of autologous and allogeneic NK cells after activation and expansion ex vivo is used in the treatment of cancer. Moreover, adoptive transfer of NK cell lines has been tested in humans, and genetically modified NK cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors are being studied in preclinical models for potential use in the clinic.

In this Research Topic, we would like to honor the memory of Prof. Vito Pistoia and pay tribute to his scientific contributions to the field of Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy. Topic Editor Daniel Olive is the co-founder and shareholder of company Imcheck Therapeutics. All other topic editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

Unlock the future of cancer treatment with "Immunotherapy Cancer Battle: Innovative Approaches for Success." This comprehensive guide dives deep into the revolutionary world of cancer immunotherapy, exploring the cutting-edge strategies and breakthroughs that are reshaping how we combat this relentless disease. But this book isn't just about the successes—it's also about the ongoing challenges and innovations in the field. You'll explore how scientists and clinicians are continually pushing the boundaries, combining immunotherapies with traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation to maximize efficacy. You'll delve into the world of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and their potential for personalized treatment, as well as the promise of cancer vaccines that could one day prevent or treat cancers with unparalleled precision. Ever wondered how viruses might be used to fight cancer? You'll find out in the chapter on oncolytic virus therapy, where viruses are re-engineered to selectively infect and destroy cancer cells. Plus, you'll read about the exciting developments in adoptive cell transfer (ACT) therapies, including T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, all working together to diversify and strengthen our immune responses. The book also covers innovative strategies like bispecific antibodies, which simultaneously engage two different targets, and next-generation immune checkpoints that go beyond PD-1 and CTLA-4 to offer new hope for patients. You'll gain insight into the complexities of the tumor microenvironment and how modulating it can enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies, creating a more hostile environment for cancer to thrive. And that's not all. "Immunotherapy Cancer Battle" takes you through the futuristic applications of nanotechnology and epigenetic modulation in cancer treatment, showcasing how these cutting-edge fields are being harnessed to boost immune responses and deliver therapies more precisely than ever before. You'll discover the potential of precision immunotherapy, which tailors treatments based on individual genetic and molecular profiles, and the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing these personalized strategies. Whether you are a medical professional, researcher, or someone affected by cancer, this book is an invaluable resource that not only informs but inspires. With its comprehensive coverage and forward-looking insights, "Immunotherapy Cancer Battle: Innovative Approaches for Success" is more than just a book—it's a blueprint for the future of cancer treatment. Join us in exploring these pioneering frontiers and envision a world where cancer is no longer a death sentence but a disease we can outsmart, treat, and one day, perhaps, completely eradicate.

This volume contains collection of Natural Killer Cell methodologies relevant for both basic and translational research. These methodologies present new developments in the natural killer (NK) cell field, such as understanding the influence of NK cells metabolism on its function, identifying complexity of NK cell subsets through mass cytometry, and determining the emergence of memory NK cells in murine model of MCMV infection. Methods that study NK cell migration and cytotoxicity through endpoint analysis or live single cell imaging are also discussed. Chapters also describe methods pertaining to translational application of NK cells, such as ex vivo expansion of NK cells on K562 cell lines genetically modified to express either membrane bound IL-15 or membrane bound IL-21, large scale NK cell culture, current techniques for engineering NK cells to express chimeric antigen receptors or chemokine receptors using retroviral vectors, electroporation of mRNA, and the natural phenomenon of trogocytosis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, these chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting edge and thorough, Natural Killer Cells: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers who not only want to understand mechanisms that govern NK cell behavior and diversity, but also for those who want to understand how to systematically evaluate NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy applications.