Natural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells
Abstract Natural killer (NK) play a key role in controlling tumor dissemination by mediating cytotoxicity towards cancer cells without the need of education. These cells are pivotal in eliminating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the bloodstream, thus limiting cancer spread and metastasis. Howeve...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-025-03375-x |
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| author | Doryan Masmoudi Martin Villalba Catherine Alix-Panabières |
| author_facet | Doryan Masmoudi Martin Villalba Catherine Alix-Panabières |
| author_sort | Doryan Masmoudi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Natural killer (NK) play a key role in controlling tumor dissemination by mediating cytotoxicity towards cancer cells without the need of education. These cells are pivotal in eliminating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the bloodstream, thus limiting cancer spread and metastasis. However, aggressive CTCs can evade NK cell surveillance, facilitating tumor growth at distant sites. In this review, we first discuss the biology of NK cells, focusing on their functions within the tumor microenvironment (TME), the lymphatic system, and circulation. We then examine the immune evasion mechanisms employed by cancer cells to inhibit NK cell activity, including the upregulation of inhibitory receptors. Finally, we explore the clinical implications of monitoring circulating biomarkers, such as NK cells and CTCs, for therapeutic decision-making and emphasize the need to enhance NK cell-based therapies by overcoming immune escape mechanisms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-79a2f704cd564e2a93d75ede1fd83e2c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1756-9966 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-79a2f704cd564e2a93d75ede1fd83e2c2025-08-20T03:06:58ZengBMCJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research1756-99662025-04-0144111510.1186/s13046-025-03375-xNatural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cellsDoryan Masmoudi0Martin Villalba1Catherine Alix-Panabières2Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells, University Medical Center of MontpellierIRMB, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, CNRSLaboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells, University Medical Center of MontpellierAbstract Natural killer (NK) play a key role in controlling tumor dissemination by mediating cytotoxicity towards cancer cells without the need of education. These cells are pivotal in eliminating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the bloodstream, thus limiting cancer spread and metastasis. However, aggressive CTCs can evade NK cell surveillance, facilitating tumor growth at distant sites. In this review, we first discuss the biology of NK cells, focusing on their functions within the tumor microenvironment (TME), the lymphatic system, and circulation. We then examine the immune evasion mechanisms employed by cancer cells to inhibit NK cell activity, including the upregulation of inhibitory receptors. Finally, we explore the clinical implications of monitoring circulating biomarkers, such as NK cells and CTCs, for therapeutic decision-making and emphasize the need to enhance NK cell-based therapies by overcoming immune escape mechanisms.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-025-03375-xCancerLiquid BiopsyCirculating tumor cellsNatural killer cellsBiomarkers |
| spellingShingle | Doryan Masmoudi Martin Villalba Catherine Alix-Panabières Natural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research Cancer Liquid Biopsy Circulating tumor cells Natural killer cells Biomarkers |
| title | Natural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells |
| title_full | Natural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells |
| title_fullStr | Natural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Natural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells |
| title_short | Natural killer cells: the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells |
| title_sort | natural killer cells the immune frontline against circulating tumor cells |
| topic | Cancer Liquid Biopsy Circulating tumor cells Natural killer cells Biomarkers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-025-03375-x |
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