Immune Checkpoint Blockade: A Strategy to Unleash the Potential of Natural Killer Cells in the Anti-Cancer Therapy
Melania Grottoli, Paolo Carrega, Lodovica Zullo, Chiara Dellepiane, Giovanni Rossi, Francesca Parisi, Giulia Barletta, Linda Zinoli, Simona Coco, Angela Alama, Silvia Marconi, Monica Parodi, Paola Orecchia, Sara Bassi, Massimo Vitale, Maria Cristina Mingari, Ulrich Pfeffer, Carlo Genova, Gabriella Pietra
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) immunotherapy has represented a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Clinical use of ICIs has shown an acceptable safety profile and promising antitumor activity. Nevertheless, some patients do not obtain clinical benefits after ICIs therapy. In order to improve and cure an increasing number of patients, the field has moved toward the discovery of new ICIs expressed by cells of innate immunity with an elevated inherent antitumor activity, such as natural killer cells. This review will focus on the recent findings concerning the role of classical and non-classical immune checkpoint molecules and receptors that regulate natural killer cell function, as potential targets, and their future clinical application.