What are Natural Killer Cells?

HealthTree University: Immunotherapy - NK Cell Therapy
NK (Natural Killer) cells are being used as a new immunotherapy in multiple myeloma. Learn what Natural Killer cells are, how they work, and how they are being used to treat multiple myeloma. Learn more from these specialists in the videos below and get full access to the NK cell course on HealthTree University. With a HealthTree University account you can track your myeloma progress, make notes, take quizzes to test comprehension, and bookmark favorite lessons.
31.01 What are natural killer cells? What is their job? How do they differ from T-cells?
NK (Natural Killer) cells are a type of white blood cell that play a role in the immune response to infected or cancerous cells. They can recognize and kill cells that have abnormal or altered proteins on their surface, such as viruses or cancer cells, without prior exposure or activation by specific antigens. They also produce cytokines that regulate the immune response.
31.02 Can Natural Killer cells become exhausted?
A decline of NK cell function is a phenomenom known as NK cell exhaustion. Learn how this process works from the doctors in the video above.
31.03 How are NK cells being used in anti-myeloma therapy?
Find out how NK cell therapy is being used to treat multiple myeloma from the doctors above.
We’d like to thank our faculty who donated their time in creating these videos, including:
- Nina Shah, MD
- Shebli Atrash, MD
- Aaron Rapoport, MD
- Hareth Nahi MD, PhD
Want more?
We have over 500 HealthTree University videos online at HealthTree University! Learn the basics (and the not-so-basics) of myeloma from some of the top myeloma doctors in the world!
- Myeloma Basics Part 1
- Myeloma Basics Part 2
- Myeloma Basics Part 3
- Myeloma Care Basics
- Building Your Healthcare Team
- Becoming an Empowered Patient
- Starting Myeloma Treatment
- Know Your Therapy
- Know Your Labs: Blood and Urine Testing in Myeloma
- Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT)
- Precursor Conditions
- Relapsed and Refractory MM Treatment
- Classes of Drugs
- Immunotherapy
- Myeloma Bone Disease
- Imaging in Myeloma
- MRD Testing
- Basic Genetics and Cancer Biology
- Myeloma Genetics
- Types of Genetic Testing in Myeloma
- Specific Myeloma Genetics Mutations and Risk
- Precision Medicine
- Financial Advice for Myeloma Patients and Their Families
- Geriatric Care and Myeloma
- Myeloma Kidney Disease
- Amyloidosis
- Myeloma Basics (Spanish)
- COVID-19 and Multiple Myeloma
- Complementary and Integrated Therapy
- Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant
- Survivorship
- Clinical Trials
- Understanding Basic Blood tests
- Myeloma Vaccines
HealthTree University: Immunotherapy - NK Cell Therapy
NK (Natural Killer) cells are being used as a new immunotherapy in multiple myeloma. Learn what Natural Killer cells are, how they work, and how they are being used to treat multiple myeloma. Learn more from these specialists in the videos below and get full access to the NK cell course on HealthTree University. With a HealthTree University account you can track your myeloma progress, make notes, take quizzes to test comprehension, and bookmark favorite lessons.
31.01 What are natural killer cells? What is their job? How do they differ from T-cells?
NK (Natural Killer) cells are a type of white blood cell that play a role in the immune response to infected or cancerous cells. They can recognize and kill cells that have abnormal or altered proteins on their surface, such as viruses or cancer cells, without prior exposure or activation by specific antigens. They also produce cytokines that regulate the immune response.
31.02 Can Natural Killer cells become exhausted?
A decline of NK cell function is a phenomenom known as NK cell exhaustion. Learn how this process works from the doctors in the video above.
31.03 How are NK cells being used in anti-myeloma therapy?
Find out how NK cell therapy is being used to treat multiple myeloma from the doctors above.
We’d like to thank our faculty who donated their time in creating these videos, including:
- Nina Shah, MD
- Shebli Atrash, MD
- Aaron Rapoport, MD
- Hareth Nahi MD, PhD
Want more?
We have over 500 HealthTree University videos online at HealthTree University! Learn the basics (and the not-so-basics) of myeloma from some of the top myeloma doctors in the world!
- Myeloma Basics Part 1
- Myeloma Basics Part 2
- Myeloma Basics Part 3
- Myeloma Care Basics
- Building Your Healthcare Team
- Becoming an Empowered Patient
- Starting Myeloma Treatment
- Know Your Therapy
- Know Your Labs: Blood and Urine Testing in Myeloma
- Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT)
- Precursor Conditions
- Relapsed and Refractory MM Treatment
- Classes of Drugs
- Immunotherapy
- Myeloma Bone Disease
- Imaging in Myeloma
- MRD Testing
- Basic Genetics and Cancer Biology
- Myeloma Genetics
- Types of Genetic Testing in Myeloma
- Specific Myeloma Genetics Mutations and Risk
- Precision Medicine
- Financial Advice for Myeloma Patients and Their Families
- Geriatric Care and Myeloma
- Myeloma Kidney Disease
- Amyloidosis
- Myeloma Basics (Spanish)
- COVID-19 and Multiple Myeloma
- Complementary and Integrated Therapy
- Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant
- Survivorship
- Clinical Trials
- Understanding Basic Blood tests
- Myeloma Vaccines

about the author
Cynthia Chmielewski
Cynthia (Cindy) Chmielewski is a professional educator and myeloma advocate. As a former teacher, she now teaches myeloma patients how to advocate for themselves as the Director of HealthTree University. You can follow her on Twitter @myelomateacher
More on Core Education
Trending Articles
Upcoming Events







Get the Latest Multiple Myeloma Updates, Delivered to You.
By subscribing to the HealthTree newsletter, you'll receive the latest research, treatment updates, and expert insights to help you navigate your health.