Natural Killer Cells in Lung Cancer

The lungs, a unique and paramount organ continually challenged by tumors, are a devastating disease with a low survival rate. Despite significant advances in lung cancer treatment, the prognosis remains poor. Pathogens and other environmental vitriols are surrounded by a dense population of innate immune cells. Among these, natural killer (NK) cells are attaining favor. Natural killer (NK) cells can provide the first line of protection by bridging and orchestrating innate and “downstream” adaptive immune responses, making them ideal for developing new cancer therapeutics. This chapter aims to summarize the current literature on lung cancer pathogenesis, with a focus on the interaction of NK cells and smoking, how these factors relate to lung cancer pathogenesis, and how NK cell–based immunotherapy affects lung cancer survival.