SynthesisBMC cancer2025
A systematic review of the last two decades of NK cell-based clinical trials: state of the art of AML therapy.
Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Next-generation CAR-NK cell therapy: engineering strategies, translational challenges, and future perspectives in cancer immunotherapy.Cancer cell international · 2026Review
- Novel treatment strategies in acute myeloid leukemia.Blood research · 2026Review
- From iPSC to manufactured iNK cells using CombiCult® screening platform.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
15 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a significant challenge in hematologic oncology, with high relapse rates and limited treatment options. Natural killer (NK) cells, as key effectors of innate immunity, have shown strong anti-leukemic activity, making them promising candidates for immunotherapy. Despite increasing clinical interest, a comprehensive evaluation of NK cell-based therapies in AML is still needed.
methodsThis systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines to analyze clinical trials evaluating NK cell therapy in AML, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A literature search across five major databases identified relevant studies, with data extraction focusing on NK cell sources, isolation and expansion strategies, clinical efficacy, and safety outcomes.
resultsA total of 48 clinical trials were identified, including 27 trials specific to AML and 21 trials involving AML along with other hematologic malignancies. Peripheral blood (PB)-derived NK cells were the main source (82%), with purification methods mainly using CliniMACS-based CD3 depletion and CD56 selection. Short-term activation (≤ 24 h) and long-term expansion (> 7 days) were employed in 36% of studies each. In non-HSCT transplant settings, NK cell therapy achieved a complete remission (CR) rate of 37.1% and an event-free survival (EFS) of 71.3%, while post-HSCT overall survival (OS) reached 39.5%. Notably, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) incidence stayed low, highlighting the favorable safety profile of NK cell therapy.
conclusionNK cell-based therapy represents a promising and well-tolerated immunotherapeutic approach for AML. However, optimizing NK cell expansion, persistence, and clinical applications requires further investigation through large-scale, controlled trials.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.