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Understanding the Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Hematologic Malignancies: Progress and Challenges

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Natural Killer T cells

Part of the book series: Cancer Drug Discovery and Development ((CDD&D))

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Abstract

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells have emerged as important effector cells in tumor immunity. Hematologic malignancies are particularly attractive targets of NKT mediated anti-tumor effects as most hematologic tumors express CD1d. Patients with several hematologic malignancies have been reported to carry quantitative or qualitative defects in NKT cells. Preliminary clinical studies suggest the capacity of alpha-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) loaded dendritic cells to stimulate NKT cells in vivo. However harnessing the effects of NKT cells in the clinic will also require attention to reversing the defects in NKT function in vivo. Improved understanding of the cross-talk between type I and II NKT cells, as well as the nature of naturally occurring CD1d binding ligands in these patients is needed to optimally target NKT cells in patients with hematologic malignancies.

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Acknowledgments

MVD is supported in part by funds from the NIH and Leukemia Society. NN was supported in part by an NIH training grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Hematology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Natalia Neparidze

  2. Section of Hematology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Madhav V. Dhodapkar

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  1. Natalia Neparidze
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  2. Madhav V. Dhodapkar
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Correspondence to Madhav V. Dhodapkar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Cancer Institute (NCI), Molecular Immunogenetics & Vaccine, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Center Drive 10, Bethesda, 20892-1578, Maryland, USA

    Masaki Terabe

  2. National Cancer Institute, Lab. Developmental &, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, 20892, Maryland, USA

    Jay A. Berzofsky

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Neparidze, N., Dhodapkar, M.V. (2012). Understanding the Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Hematologic Malignancies: Progress and Challenges. In: Terabe, M., Berzofsky, J. (eds) Natural Killer T cells. Cancer Drug Discovery and Development. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0613-6_9

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