Adoptive NK cell therapy: a potential revolutionary approach in longevity therapeutics.

The aging process intricately involves immune system dynamics, with a crucial role in managing senescent cells (SNCs) and their senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs). Unfortunately, immunosenescence, a progressively dysregulated immunity with age, hampers effective SNC elimination, leading to accumulation, coupled with the release of SASPs, which, in turn, inhibits immunity and heightened susceptibility to aging-associated diseases (AADs). Natural killer (NK) cells, integral to the innate immune system, play a pivotal role in addressing SNCs swiftly.

Harnessing NK Cells to Control Metastasis.

In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has produced remarkable results in tumor treatment. Nevertheless, its effects are severely limited in patients with low or absent pre-existing T cell immunity. Accordingly, metastasis remains the major cause of tumor-associated death.

Exploring the Utility of NK Cells in COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can manifest as acute respiratory distress syndrome and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Extensive data now indicate that immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection determine the COVID-19 disease course. A wide range of immunomodulatory agents have been tested for the treatment of COVID-19.

Immunosurveillance of Cancer and Viral Infections with Regard to Alterations of Human NK Cells Originating from Lifestyle and Aging.

Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic immune cells with an innate capacity for eliminating cancer cells and virus- infected cells. NK cells are critical effector cells in the immunosurveillance of cancer and viral infections. Patients with low NK cell activity or NK cell deficiencies are predisposed to increased risks of cancer and severe viral infections.

Effective induction of melanoma-antigen-specific CD8+ T cells via Vγ9γδT cell expansion by CD56(high+) Interferon-α-induced dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) can be differentiated from CD14+ monocytes in the presence of interferon-α (IFNα) and granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in vitro and are known as IFN-DCs. Circulating blood CD56+ cells expressing high levels of CD14, HLA-DR and CD86 have been shown to spontaneously differentiate into DC-like cells in vitro after their isolation from blood. We show here that IFN-DCs expressing high levels of CD56 (hereafter, CD56(high+) IFN-DCs) can be differentiated in vitro from monocytes obtained as adherent cells from healthy donors and patients with metastatic melanoma.

Ex vivo-expanded natural killer cells kill cancer cells more effectively than ex vivo-expanded γδ T cells or αβ T cells.

Adoptive immunotherapy of cancer is evolving with the development of novel technologies for generating a large number of activated killer cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, γδ T cells, and αβ T cells. We have recently established large-scale culture methods to generate activated NK cells from human peripheral blood, and demonstrated that expanded NK cells have higher cytotoxicity against cancer cells than freshly isolated NK cells. In this study, we compared cultured NK cells with cultured γδ T and αβ T cells that were prepared by conventional culture methods regarding the expression of cytotoxic molecules and cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Efficacy of activated and expanded natural killer cells and T lymphocytes for colorectal cancer patients.

Immune cell-based therapies using natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells are under constant scrutiny, with the aim to design an effective and reduced-toxicity therapy, which will benefit patients via improved quality of life and improved prognosis. Four patients with stage IV colon cancer were administered 1, 3, 5 and 6 effector cell intravenous infusions, respectively. Peripheral blood was collected from the patients and the activation and expansion of NK and T cells was performed in Good Manufacturing Practice-certified clean rooms for ~12-15 days.

Autologous immune enhancement therapy: A case report of a stage IV colonic cancer.

Current modalities of cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, show marginal therapeutic responses in cancer patients. In adoptive immunotherapy, interleukin-2 (IL-2) activated immune cells demonstrated notable results in patients with advanced malignant disease. The present study reports the efficacy and safety of repetitive infusions of autologous immune enhancement therapy (AIET) in a stage IV colonic cancer patient who had already received first-line chemotherapeutic drugs.

Autologous immune enhancement therapy against an advanced epithelioid sarcoma: A case report.

Rare types of cancer are often not effectively treated by approaches such as chemotherapy and radio-therapy, although their side-effects persist. Immunotherapy has been gaining attention worldwide with growing examples of its anticancer activity demonstrated . This case report describes a 35-year-old male who suffered from advanced epithelioid sarcoma and underwent 18 cycles of chemotherapy without any significant response, who suffered adverse effects that caused lung collapse.

Synergistic cytotoxicity of ex vivo expanded natural killer cells in combination with monoclonal antibody drugs against cancer cells.

The adoptive transfer of highly cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells is an emerging tool for cancer immunotherapy. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) has recently been identified as one of the critical factors for the clinical efficacy of anticancer antibodies, in which NK cells are the major effectors of ADCC. NK cells were expanded from PBMC by a feeder-cell-free expansion method.

Analysis of a hollow core photonic bandgap fiber ring resonator based on micro-optical structure.

The fiber ring resonator (FRR) is the key component of resonator fiber optic gyros (R-FOGs). The configuration of a novel hollow core photonic bandgap fiber (HC-PBF) ring resonator is proposed based on the usage of micro-optical structure. The normalized transfer function of such kind of FRR is derived, and the effects of different FRR parameters' on the resonant depth, resonant finesse and sensitivity limited by the shot noise of the detector are simulated.

A comparative analysis of in vitro expansion of natural killer cells of a patient with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and ovarian cancer with patients with other solid tumours.

The functional profile of natural killer (NK) cells has been reported to be lower in auto-immune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). In this study, we report a comparative analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and the in vitro expansion of NK cells in a patient with AIHA and cancer, with that of other cancer patients without AIHA. PBMNCs and in vitro NK-cell expansion of a 64-year old female patient with ovarian cancer and AIHA was compared with that of four other patients with cancer without AIHA who underwent autologous immune enhancement therapy (AIET).

Autologous immune enhancement therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer with metastases: a case report.

Current therapeutic modalities for ovarian cancer such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery have been reported to yield only marginal success in improving survival rates of patients and have associated adverse effects. We report here a case of recurrent stage IV ovarian cancer, treated with cell-based autologous immune enhancement therapy (AIET) along with chemotherapy and followed up for 18 months. A 54-year-old female was diagnosed with a recurrence of ovarian carcinoma 1 year after initial surgical removal followed by chemotherapy for stage IIIC ovarian carcinoma.

Refractory lung metastasis from breast cancer treated with multidisciplinary therapy including an immunological approach.

A suggestive case of metastatic disease from breast cancer is reported. The HER-2-positive tumor was refractory to several agents, including anti-HER-2 therapy, trastuzumab, and lapatinib. After re-induction of trastuzumab in combination with activated natural killer (NK) cell injection therapy, tumor markers decreased, and finally a synergistic effect of taxane and capecitabine led to treatment response.

Natural killer activity of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells in breast cancer patients.

Natural killer (NK) activity of immune cells plays a central role in host defense against cancer and virus-infected cells. Natural cytotoxic activity of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells was assessed by a Calcein-AM release assay in 89 subjects. In the present study, we here demonstrated that NK activities of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from breast cancer patients were significantly lower as compared with that of healthy individuals.

Potential role of NK cells in the induction of immune responses: implications for NK cell-based immunotherapy for cancers and viral infections.

Natural killer (NK) cells recognize tumor cells and virus-infected cells and attack without being sensitized to antigens. The development of the antitumor/antivirus activities of NK cells is controlled by multiple mechanisms such as direct cytotoxic activity against target cells, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, secretion of Th1-type cytokines, and interactions with dendritic cells. The development of these activities plays a significant role in both innate and adaptive immunities.

Potential role of natural killer cells in controlling growth and infiltration of AIDS-associated primary effusion lymphoma cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells are an important component of the innate immune response against microbial infections and tumors. Direct involvement of NK cells in tumor growth and infiltration has not yet been demonstrated clearly. Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells were able to produce tumors and ascites very efficiently with infiltration of cells in various organs of T-, B- and NK-cell knock-out NOD/SCID/gammac(null) (NOG) mice within 3 weeks.

Predominance of three NF-kappaB binding sites in the long terminal repeat region of HIV Type 1 subtype C isolates from Zambia.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world, with almost 46 million people infected globally. HIV-1 subtype C accounts for 55% of these infections. In Zambia, the majority of HIV-1 infections are subtype C.

Antithetical effects of hemicellulase-treated Agaricus blazei on the maturation of murine bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells.

We report the effects of hemicellulase-treated Agaricus blazei (ABH) on the maturation of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). ABH activated immature BMDCs, inducing up-regulation of surface molecules, such as CD40, CD80 and major histocompatibility complex class I antigens, as well as inducing allogeneic T-cell proliferation and T helper type 1 cell development. However, unlike lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ABH did not stimulate the BMDCs to produce proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, or IL-1beta.

Prevalence of drug-resistance-associated mutations in antiretroviral drug-naive Zambians infected with subtype C HIV-1.

The ability of HIV-1 to evolve resistance to antiretroviral drugs leads to treatment failure. By nucleotide sequencing of HIV-1 subtype B isolates, amino acids responsible for drug resistance have been identified. Less information is available, however, on the extent and distribution of these amino acids in HIV-1 nonsubtype B viruses circulating mainly in developing countries.