NYMC Faculty Publications
The Future of Natural Killer Cell Immunotherapy for B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B Cell NHL)
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.1007/s11864-021-00932-2
Journal Title
Current Treatment Options in Oncology
First Page
381
Last Page
403
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2022
Department
Pediatrics
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have played a critical-if largely unrecognized or ignored-role in the treatment of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) since the introduction of CD20-directed immunotherapy with rituximab as a cornerstone of therapy over 25 years ago. Engagement with NK cells leading to lysis of NHL targets through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a critical component of rituximab's mechanism of action. Despite this important role, the only aspect of B cell NHL therapy that has been adopted as standard therapy that even indirectly augments or restores NK cell function is the introduction of obinutuzumab, a CD20 antibody with enhanced ability to engage with NK cells. However, over the last 5 years, adoptive immunotherapy with effector lymphocytes of B cell NHL has experienced tremendous growth, with five different CAR T cell products now licensed by the FDA, four of which target CD19 and have approved indications for some subtype of B cell NHL-axicabtagene ciloleucel, brexucabtagene autoleucel, lisocabtagene maraleucel, and tisagenlecleucel. These T cell-based immunotherapies essentially mimic the recognition, activation pathway, and cytotoxic machinery of a CD19 antibody engaging NK cells and lymphoma targets. Despite their efficacy, these T cell-based immunotherapies have been difficult to implement because they require 4-6 weeks of manufacture, are costly, and have significant toxicities. This renewed interest in the potential of cellular immunity-and the manufacturing, supply chain, and administration logistics that have been addressed with these new agents-have ignited a new wave of enthusiasm for NK cell-directed therapies in NHL. With high safety profiles and proven anti-lymphoma efficacy, one or more new NK cell-directed modalities are certain to be introduced into the standard toolbox of NHL therapy within the next few years, be it function-enhancing cytokine muteins, multi-domain NK cell engagers, or adoptive therapy with expanded or genetically modified NK cells.
Recommended Citation
Chu, Y., Lamb, M., Cairo, M. S., & Lee, D. A. (2022). The Future of Natural Killer Cell Immunotherapy for B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B Cell NHL). Current Treatment Options in Oncology, 23 (3), 381-403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-021-00932-2
