Natural Killer Cell Cellular–Based Therapeutic Options for Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Prospect and Challenges

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the management of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, refractory disease and relapse remain major issues. These necessitate the need for novel therapeutic options to help achieve deeper remission and treat refractory and relapsed diseases for improved survival. Natural killer (NK) cell cellular therapies have been muted as an option. NK cells are a specialized population of innate lymphoid cells that possess constitutive capabilities against viral infections and cancer cells. Unlike T cells, NK cells do not need prior antigen sensitization to kill their target cells, thus their potential as immunotherapeutic agents. However, NK cells are noted to be dysfunctional in patients with haematological malignancies. Revitalizing them is another immunotherapeutic strategy. In this review, we summarize the biology of NK cells and the various forms of NK cell cellular therapies for the potential management of AML, both in preclinical studies and clinical trials.