April 29, 2024

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NK Cells: Unveiling a Multifaceted Medical Marvel for Stroke Recovery and Beyond

NK Cells: Unveiling a Multifaceted Medical Marvel for Stroke Recovery and Beyond



NK Cells: Unveiling a Multifaceted Medical Marvel for Stroke Recovery and Beyond

Natural Killer (NK) cells, known for their role in fighting viruses, tumors, and aging, surprisingly show promise in alleviating the condition of stroke patients!

NK cells play a crucial role in the body’s defense against viruses and cancer, serving as the first line of defense for maintaining overall health. While NK cell therapy is commonly associated with cancer treatment, a recent case highlights its potential in treating strokes. Patients undergoing NK cell treatment experienced significant improvements in their health, showcasing the potential and crucial role of NK cells in stroke therapy.

The introduction of 4 billion NK cells into the body resulted in improved speech and physical abilities for stroke survivors.

Stroke, a life-threatening cerebrovascular disease caused by blockage or rupture of blood vessels supplying the brain, leads to brain damage with consequences such as paralysis, speech impairment, and cognitive disorders. With an aging population, the incidence of strokes continues to rise globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), strokes affect approximately 13.7 million people worldwide each year, causing 5.5 million deaths, making it the second leading global cause of death after cardiovascular diseases.

NKGen Biotech, a U.S. company, recently announced the approval of its product SNK01 by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Hospital Angeles in Mexico for the treatment of stroke patients. SNK01, a non-genetically modified autologous NK cell therapy, involves isolating and selecting target NK cells from the patient’s blood, activating and expanding these cells, and finally reintroducing them into the patient’s body to achieve therapeutic effects.

A stroke survivor in his 60s, experiencing right-sided paralysis and speech difficulties three years after a stroke, began SNK01 therapy in April. The patient received seven SNK01 injections weekly, totaling 4 billion cells. Post-treatment, improvements were observed in the patient’s speech and physical abilities.

NKGen Biotech suggests that SNK01 may enhance the immune environment in the brain, potentially improving post-stroke sequelae such as cognitive impairments and further cell damage caused by neuroinflammation.

Paul Song, CEO of NKGen Biotech, stated, “SNK01 may have activity against certain brain diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. SNK01 appears to play an immunomodulatory role in the brain by removing stroke-damaged brain cells and reducing inflammation.”

Multiple Functions of NK Cells Unveiled – Bringing Hope to Numerous Patients

NK cells, known as crucial immune cells in the body’s defense against viruses, cancers, and aging, are gaining attention for their multifaceted roles. With advancements in medicine, NK cells are revealing their potential beyond cancer treatment, contributing to research in aging, virus resistance, and other diseases, offering hope for many patients. NK cells are emerging as a new star in the medical field, opening up new treatment prospects for patients.

NK Cells in Tumor Resistance:

NK cell therapy for cancer has been a hot topic in oncology, considered an ideal choice for cancer immunotherapy.

Twenty years ago, NK cell-mediated immunotherapy was deemed a safe and effective treatment, especially for late-stage leukemia patients. In recent years, the field of cancer treatment based on NK cells has experienced exponential growth, becoming a major area of innovation in immunotherapy. Many cancer treatment studies are incorporating NK cells, with nearly 1000 clinical studies exploring NK cell therapy covering various cancer types such as acute myeloid leukemia, neuroblastoma, malignant glioma, B-cell lymphoma, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma, according to a review in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology.

NK Cells in Anti-Aging:

NK cells, as innate immune cells, play a crucial role in immune surveillance against aging cells, rapidly identifying and eliminating senescent and apoptotic cells, thereby improving and maintaining the stability of the body’s internal environment. Increasing animal and clinical data confirm the significant potential of NK cell immunotherapy in the field of anti-aging.

An article in the journal “Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports” discusses the potent ability of autologous expanded NK cells to eliminate tumor cells and aging cells while also inhibiting human inflammation responses, thus slowing down cellular aging.

This research suggests that autologous NK cell infusion may reduce aging markers in peripheral blood, indicating the potential for NK cell therapy to be a novel treatment, effectively reducing the harm caused by aging to our bodies.

NK Cells: Unveiling a Multifaceted Medical Marvel for Stroke Recovery and Beyond

NK Cells in Combating Neurodegenerative Diseases:

Parkinson’s disease, a common neurodegenerative disease prevalent among the elderly, may benefit from NK cells in preventing disease progression.

An article published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” states that NK cells act as efficient “cleaners,” attacking “invaders” by reducing brain inflammation and clearing and inhibiting abnormal protein aggregation, thus providing protective effects on the brain.

NK Cells: Unveiling a Multifaceted Medical Marvel for Stroke Recovery and Beyond


Conclusion:

While current attention on NK cells primarily focuses on their role in cancer treatment, the capabilities of these immune cells extend beyond tumor therapy.

NK cells demonstrate potential in various fields, including antiviral, anti-aging, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

As our understanding of NK cell function and mechanisms deepens, these powerful immune cells hold promise for patients in diverse medical areas.

NK Cells: Unveiling a Multifaceted Medical Marvel for Stroke Recovery and Beyond

(source:internet, reference only)


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