Definition

A population of cryopreserved, autologous CD56-positive memory cytokine-enriched natural killer (NK) cells (m-ceNKs), armed with NK cell-activating surface receptors, with potential immunomodulating and antitumor activities. Autologous NK cells are pre-activated ex vivo with a cytokine cocktail, which induces the differentiation of the NK cells into immune-memory m-ceNKs, which possess a unique phenotype. The pretreated NKs exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity and increased interferon-gamma (IFN-g) production. Upon administration, the autologous m-ceNKs may recognize and kill tumor cells.