NK Cell Jeopardy!

NK Cell Background

100

How do NK cells kill tumour cells?

by releasing cytotoxic granules (perforin/granzyme) 

200

What broad category of molecule is used in the experimental context to activate/increase the cytotoxic capacity of NK cells (usually before infusion into patient)?

cytokines

300

What kind of ligand is MHC for NK Cells? (inhibitory or stimulatory)

Inhibitory

400

Which subtype of NK cell is more cytotoxic?

CD56dim

Study Characteristics

100

What clinical trial phase looks primarily at safety?

Phase I

200

What form of cancer are most NK cell trials currently looking at?

Leukemia

300

What is the difference between allogeneic and autologous therapy?

autologous - cells come from patient themselves
allogeneic - cells come from donor (genetically dissimilar/immunologically incompatible)

400

What benefit does allogeneic cell therapy have over autologous cell therapy?

allogeneic cell therapy shows strong graft-vs-tumor effect (donor KIRs are a mismatch for recipients HLA)

Miscellaneous

100

has NK cell therapy seen more clinical efficacy  for solid or hematological cancers?

hematological

200

which cytokine has the most adverse side effects when infused in vivo?

IL2

300

Which white blood cells makeup LAK cells?

T cells and NK cells

400

What was the cytokine investigated in our chosen phase I seminal clinical trial?

IL21