Abstract
The past fifteen years have witnessed great progress in our undestanding of how natural killer (NK) cells function, their role in innate defenses and their possible exploitation in therapy. This contribution traces the major advances in these formerly mysterious cells, from the first discovery of HLA-class I-specific inhibitory receptors to a more recent major breakgthrough that highlighted important perspectives and major expectations regarding the cure of life-threatening leukemias. The key role of "alloreactive" NK cells in eradicating acute myeloid leukemias and in preventing both graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease, led to a true revolution in bone marrow transplantation. Thus, it is now possible to search for appropriate HLA class I mismatches to set NK cells in action to cure high risk leukemias.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
