Natural Killer Cells, usually referred to as NK cells is a type of white blood cells (lymphocyte) and is a vital element of the body’s immune system. NK cells are activated human immune cells which serve as the first line of defence in recognizing and attacking tumours, bacteria, viruses and harmful cells in the body.
Allogeneic NK cells can recognize cancerous malignant cells that are missing specific markers, which help to camouflage (hide) them from the patient’s own immune system. NK cells are simpler and faster than other immune cells, where they are capable of homing into cancer cells and destroying them.
- IL-2 activated NK cells directly kill viruses and virus infected cells through several mechanisms:
