Hao Wu,1 Qi Liu,2 Fenglu Wang,1 Wenwen Gao,1 Feng Zhou,2 Haikang Zhao1 

1Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Hao Wu; Haikang Zhao, Email xmudrwuhao@xiyi.edu.cn; XMU2Neurosurgery@163.com

Abstract: NK cells are a type of antitumor immune cell with promising clinical application, following T cells. The activity of NK cells is primarily regulated by their surface receptors and immune microenvironment. In gliomas, the tumor microenvironment exerts a strong immunosuppressive effect, which significantly reduces the clinical efficacy of NK cell immunotherapy. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the latest research on the role of NK cells in glioma immunotherapy, focusing on aspects such as NK cell development, function, and localization. It summarizes information on the compounds, monoclonal antibodies, and cytokine therapies targeting NK cells while emphasizing the current status and trends of gene-modified NK cells in glioma treatment. Additionally, it explores the molecular mechanisms underlying immune escape in glioma cells, providing a theoretical foundation and new perspectives for NK cell-based immunotherapy in gliomas.

Keywords: glioblastoma, survival rates, therapeutic strategies, inhibitory factors