The role of NK cells in regulating tumorimmunity: current state, challenges and future strategies

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system. Their multifaceted cytotoxic mechanisms, coupled with their capacity to modulate immunity through cytokine secretion, underscore their pivotal role in orchestrating the immune microenvironment within tumors. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the biological properties of NK cells, shedding light on their intricate involvement in tumor immunity. Furthermore, this review provides a comprehensive summary of the crosstalk between NK cell and other cells, and therapeutic strategies that target both T cells and NK cells, thereby offering potential avenues for therapeutic interventions. Finally, we have summarized the current status, advantages, and limitations of CAR-NK cell therapy, providing a reference for future CAR-NK cell engineering designs.