IL-18/IL-15/IL-12 synergy induces elevated and prolonged IFN-γ production by ex vivo expanded NK cells which is not due to enhanced STAT4 activation

The synergistic effect of IL-18/IL-15/IL-12 stimulation potently activates NK cells, inducing high levels of IFN-γ production. As a result of this potent stimulatory effect, NK cell pre-activation with IL-18/IL-15/IL-12 is being developed as a cancer immunotherapy. Ex vivo expansion of NK cells enables the efficient generation of large numbers of NK cells for wide-scale and repeated therapeutic use, and is thus an important source of NK cells …