journal contribution
posted on 2025-07-02, 07:24 authored by Yizhe Sun, Andrea Rodgers Furones, Okan Gultekin, Shruti Khare, Shi Yong Neo, Wenyang Shi, Lidia Moyano-Galceran, Kong-Peng Lam, Ramanuj Dasgupta, Jonas Fuxe, Sahar Salehi, Kaisa Lehti, Dhifaf Sarhan <p>DEGs for all myeloid cell clusters</p>
Funding
Cancerfonden (Swedish Cancer Society)
Karolinska Institutet (KI)
Radiumhemmets Forskningsfonder (Cancer Research Foundations of Radiumhemmet)
China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Stiftelsen Clas Groschinskys Minnesfond (Clas Groschinski Memorial Foundation)
National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF)
Novo Nordisk Fonden (NNF)
Kreftforeningen (NCS)
History
ARTICLE ABSTRACT
Adaptive NK (aNK) cells have emerged as a subset of NK cells with memory-like properties and specific cytotoxicity, offering promising therapeutic potential in cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we explored the role of aNK cells in high-grade serous ovarian cancer, focusing on their ability to establish tumor-specific immune memory and effectively target autologous tumors. Through a combination of in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo approaches, we demonstrated that aNK cells, in contrast to conventional NK cells, exhibit recall responses, specific cytotoxicity, and preferential infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. Our data revealed that aNK cells interact with dendritic cells within the tumor microenvironment via the HLA-E/NKG2C axis and CXCR2 signaling, contributing to their memory formation and tumor-targeting capabilities. These findings suggest that aNK cells could serve as potent agents in NK cell–based immunotherapies, particularly in solid tumors such as high-grade serous ovarian cancer, in which they resist immunosuppressive signals and maintain robust antitumor activity. This study provides new insights into the adaptive-like properties of aNK cells, underscoring their potential for advancing cancer immunotherapy strategies.
