Revisiting the prominent anti-tumoral potential of pre-mNK cells
Article [Version of Record]
Abstract(s)
Interferon-producing killer dendritic cells (IKDC) were first described for their outstanding
anti-tumoral properties.The “IKDC” terminology implied the description of a novel DC subset and initiated a debate on their cellular lineage origin.This debate shifted the focus away
from their notable anti-tumoral potential. IKDC were recently redefined as precursors to
mature NK (mNK) cells and consequently renamed pre-mNK cells. Importantly, a putative
human equivalent of pre-mNK cells was recently associated with improved disease outcome in cancer patients. It is thus timely to revisit the functional attributes as well as the
therapeutic potential of pre-mNK cells in line with their newly defined NK-cell precursor
function.