| Abstract: | CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), specifically directed against tumor-associated antigens, can be used in immunotherapy as effector cells in order to induce antitumor immune response. However, natural killer (NK) cells, that belong to the innate immune system, might also play a role on the anti-tumoral immune response. Our data show that quiescent NK cells can be activated by direct cell contact with dendritic cells (CD). Such a NK cells activating ability places DC at the frontier between innate and cognate immunity and then may encourage their use in clinical trials designed to elicit both CTL and NK responses. |
