| Abstract: |
NK cells mediate numerous antitumor effects and are under increased scrutiny as potential targets for cancer immunotherapeutic regimens, either as direct effectors or in contributing to overall antitumor efficacy. Obesity, a condition of excess adiposity and altered metabolomics, has reached pandemic levels and continues to rise. Obesity and the meta-inflammatory state associated with it have been correlated with increased incidence, progression, and poorer clinical outcomes for many cancers. Obesity has also been demonstrated to be suppressive for most immune cell types, including natural killer (NK) cells, which may affect tumor outcomes. However, there is also the “Obesity Paradox” in which some immunotherapeutic regimens, such as immune checkpoint blockade, result in greater T-cell responses in obesity. Recent evidence also suggests that the inhibitory effects of obesity on NK cells can be both direct and indirect. Many questions still exist concerning the different pathways and stages of NK cells affected by obesity and functional consequences, as well as the models to assess them. These data indicating the inhibitory properties of obesity on NK cells suggest it should now be considered as a key parameter potentially affecting NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy regimens efficacy. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. |
