Targeting natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapy

Natural killer cells have emerged as a safe and powerful immunotherapeutic modality, with distinct advantages over a number of other cellular therapies. However, the delivery of NK cells to patients suffers from a complex variety of challenges that are associated with immunosuppressive functions of tumors themselves, as well as ex vivo challenges intrinsic to their preparation for adoptive transfer. Recent advances in cancer immunology, genetic engineering and synthetic biology have contributed to remarkable advances in the immunotherapeutic potential of these cells. This chapter discusses these challenges, as well as strategies aimed at reprogramming NK cell function for restored anti-tumor immunity.