Irvine Scientific has introduced Prime-XV NK Cell CDM-the first commercially available chemically-defined (CDM), animal component-free (ACF) medium for the ex vivo expansion of NK cells. The advanced medium delivers natural killer (NK) cell expansion while preserving NK cell potency and functionality.

Current approaches to immunotherapy focus on harnessing the power of the body’s immune system to treat tumors with cell therapies. NK cells are one of the promising candidates as they have the potential to recognize and kill cancer cells. Studies show NK cells possess the ability to identify certain tumor cells or virus-infected cells and destroy them by injecting cell-degrading proteins into the malignant cells. However, NK cells are not naturally abundant in vivo, which presents a significant obstacle to their use in NK-mediated therapies. The challenge is to produce sufficient numbers of cells ex vivo that are cytotoxic towards cancer cells to produce effective therapies. 

Different protocols have been developed to generate potent NK cells in sufficient numbers, but many popular methods present challenges for developing clinical applications due to their use of animal-derived components, such as serum and feeder cells. Co-culture systems with feeder cells are highly complex and variable, and there are legitimate concerns about undesirable components or genetic material transferring to the therapeutic cells as a consequence of the process. Prime-XV NK Cell CDM is the first commercially-available medium formulated to address this issue.

Designed for use in NK cell-based immunotherapy research and translational applications, this advanced medium delivers strong cell growth while also maintaining NK cell potency and functionality without the need for serum supplementation in either the presence or absence of feeder cells. The formula offers scientists the option to avoid many of the disadvantages associated with the use of feeder cells while maintaining characteristic morphology and cytotoxicity of NK cells.

“Our research and development group has consistently delivered cell culture media solutions designed to advance emerging cell therapies,” said Erik Vaessen, head of sales and marketing for ICC and cell therapy, Irvine Scientific. “Prime-XV NK Cell CDM continues that cutting-edge development by offering cell therapy scientists a chemically-defined, animal component-free medium that provides the robust expansion of potent NK cells, without or without the use of feeder cells.”

Prime-XV NK Cell CDM is the latest addition to the Prime-XV portfolio of complete, chemically-defined, serum-free media solutions targeted to support cell therapy applications. It joins a range of products designed to facilitate the seamless transition from preclinical to clinical research. All products are manufactured using stringent raw material qualification and under Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for consistency and reliability.