Immunotherapy with natural killer cells: a possible approach for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia also in Brazil

• Main Author: Lúcia Silla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Médica Brasileira
• Series: Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira
• Subjects: Células NK; efeito enxerto contra leucemia; imunoterapia adotiva; leukemia mieloide aguda
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-42302016001200023&lng=en&tlng=en

SUMMARY The allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can cure intermediate and high-risk acute myeloid leukemia. Even with the development of strategies to reduce HSCT toxicity, this is still a complex treatment with high morbidity and mortality. Knowledge of the graft versus leukemia effect of HSCT has prepared the way for the development of Adoptive Immunotherapy or in vitro expansion of activated lymphocytes without alloreactivity, with subsequent intravenous infusion. The infusion of genetically modified T lymphocytes and haploidentical natural killer cells has been tested as an alternative to HSCT with very interesting results worldwide and in Brazil, as we not only have the technology of in vitro expansion of clinical grade lymphocytes available, but also do it according to the Good Manufacturing Practices that have been determined internationally.