**Natural Killer Cells in the Near Future of Immuno-Oncological Therapeutic Approaches Oncological Therapeutic Approaches**

**Natural Killer Cells in the Near Future of Immuno-**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.70567

Hend Mohamed El Tayebi Hend Mohamed El Tayebi Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70567

#### **Abstract**

Natural killer (NK) cells are called natural killers because they do not need to recognize a specific antigen before releasing their toxins and destroying virally infected or cancer cells. Their killing ability is mainly attributed to a large number of cytolytic granules containing proteins known as perforins and granzymes. NK cells also play a part in the adaptive immune responses through mediating antibody-dependent cellmediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Furthermore, NK cells play a role in the regulation and activation of other cells of the immune system. This occurs through the release of cytokines and chemokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). This chapter reviews the functional highlights of NK cells through their different mechanism, in addition to discussing the potential involvement of natural killer cells in future application of immunotherapies for cancer.

**Keywords:** natural killer cells, inhibitory receptors, activating receptors, cancer, immunotherapy, epigenetics, microRNAs
