Can the body’s own Natural Killer Cells be activated to target
myeloma cells? Exploring the potential of the SLAMF7, KIR,
and CD137 pathways
SLAMF7
Natural
Killer Cell SLAMF7
SLAMF7
Myeloma
cell
KIR
Natural Killer Cell
KIR
Myeloma
cell
Ligand
CD137
Natural Killer Cell
CD137
Myeloma
cell
Ligand
Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule
Family member 7 is a cell surface protein
that is highly expressed on the surface of
myeloma cells across disease stages and
cytogenetic subtypes.21 SLAMF7 is also
expressed on Natural Killer Cells, plasma
cells, and other immune cells.21 The potential
of the SLAMF7 pathway to regulate Natural
Killer Cell cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma is
currently under investigation.
Killer cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors are
expressed on the surface of various immune
cells, including Natural Killer Cells, and are
key regulators of their activation.16 Myeloma
cells are able to evade Natural Killer Cellmediated recognition and cytotoxicity by
upregulating the ligand for inhibitory KIRs.5
The potential of the KIR pathway to regulate
Natural Killer Cell activation in multiple
myeloma is currently being studied.
CD137 is a cell surface protein that can be
upregulated on the surface of Natural Killer
Cells, T cells and other immune cells, and
its ligand is highly expressed on myeloma
cells.17,22 The potential of the CD137 pathway
to regulate Natural Killer Cell cytotoxicity in
multiple myeloma is also being explored.