Unlocking Glioblastoma Secrets: Natural Killer Cell Therapy against Cancer Stem Cells

Simple Summary Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor that is heterogenous at the cellular and molecular levels. It deftly invades the brain parenchyma making it challenging to treat. A cellular component of these tumors are specialized cells called glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that help the tumor grow and survive. Stopping these GSCs could make treating the tumor easier. Natural killer (NK) cells are like superheroes among immune cells; they can hunt down and destroy cancer cells. In lab tests, NK cells have shown promise in fighting GSCs, which could lead to better treatment for GBM. This review article will break down what GBM is, the problems in treating it, how GSCs fit in, and how NK cells might be the heroes we need to fight this tough tumor.Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) represents a paramount challenge as the most formidable primary brain tumor characterized by its rapid growth, aggressive invasiveness, and remarkable heterogeneity, collectively impeding effective therapeutic interventions. The cancer stem cells within GBM, GBM stem cells (GSCs), hold pivotal significance in fueling tumor advancement, therapeutic refractoriness, and relapse. Given their unique attributes encompassing self-renewal, multipotent differentiation potential, and intricate interplay with the tumor microenvironment, targeting GSCs emerges as a critical strategy for innovative GBM treatments. Natural killer (NK) cells, innate immune effectors recognized for their capacity to selectively detect and eliminate malignancies without the need for prior sensitization, offer substantial therapeutic potential. Harnessing the inherent capabilities of NK cells can not only directly engage tumor cells but also augment broader immune responses. Encouraging outcomes from clinical investigations underscore NK cells as a potentially effective modality for cancer therapy. Consequently, NK cell-based approaches hold promise for effectively targeting GSCs, thereby presenting an avenue to enhance treatment outcomes for GBM patients. This review outlines GBM's intricate landscape, therapeutic challenges, GSC-related dynamics, and elucidates the potential of NK cell as an immunotherapeutic strategy directed towards GSCs.