SUPER CHARGED NK CELL THERAPY

WHAT ARE NK CELLS?

NK cells are large granular lymphocytes which are identified by their lack of T cell receptors, and their surface expression of CD16 and CD56 receptors. NK cells are mainly known for their ability to kill tumors and provide crucial cytokines to activate adaptive immunity. NK cells play a major role in the host-rejection of both tumors and virally infected cells.



OUR PREVIOUS STUDIES

  • Natural Killer cells target and kill cancer stem cells but not their differentiated counterparts
  • NK cells play a significant role in differentiation of cancer stem cells
  • CD16, NKp46 and TLR triggering on NK cells mediate cellular differentiation
  • Osteoclasts,  Dendritic cells and Monocytes are major inducers of NK cell activation
  • Secreted and membrane bound TNF-a and IFN-g from NK cells mediate differentiation of cancer stem cells
  • Activation of NK cells is governed by the functions of Cystatins and Cathepsins
  • Super-charged NK cells in humanized mice kill and differentiate stem-like oral and pancreatic tumors and inhibit progression of these tumors; and therefore they are currently under production for use in human clinical trials.
  • Review and commentary (Current Opinion in Immunology 2018, 51:170–180)



ADVANCING RESEARCH USING HUMANIZED MICE

Dr. Jewett’s patented technology takes normal mice, and turns them into “humanized mice” that pump human blood, which makes them over 90% more similar to humans. This results in pre-clinical trials that are more successful when moving from animal models to human trials. 

MAJOR DEFECTS IN NK FUNCTION IN CANCER PATIENTS

  • Decreased ability to expand under the best expansion methodologies
  • Decreased cytotoxicity against cancer stem cells
  • Decreased ability to release IFN-g secretion
  • Dysfunctional IFN-g
  • Lack of ability to differentiate tumors resulting in the lack of tumor growth inhibition



INCREASED INCIDENCE & RISK OF CANCER WITH LOW NK CELL FUNCTION

CANCER RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS SNAPSHOT

FOR A FULL LIST OF DR. JEWETT'S 119+ NK CELL PUBLICATIONS -https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/116826/overview

  • Melanoma

    Super-charged NK cells in combination with tumor vaccine inhibit growth and progression of Melanoma tumors in vivo in humanized BLT mice; effect on tumor differentiation and response to chemotherapeutic drugs. 

  • Oral

    Super-charged NK cells inhibit growth and progression of stem-like/poorly differentiated oral tumors in vivo in humanized BLT mice; effect on tumor differentiation and response to chemotherapeutic drugs.


    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2162402X.2018.1426518

  • Colorectal

    Cell Budding from Normal Appearing Epithelia: A Predictor of Colorectal Cancer Metastasis?


    https://www.ijbs.com/v09p0119.htm