Methods of treating acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma using natural killer cells

A method of treating an individual having multiple myeloma by administering an effective amount of a cell population comprising natural killer cells, wherein the cell population comprising natural killer cells is produced by a method comprising the steps of:

• (a) culturing hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells in a first medium comprising a stem cell mobilizing agent and thrombopoietin (Tpo) to produce a first population of cells;
• (b) culturing the first population of cells in a second medium comprising a stem cell mobilizing agent and interleukin-15 (IL-15), and lacking Tpo, to produce a second population of cells;
• and
• (c) culturing the second population of cells in a third medium comprising IL-2 and IL-15, and lacking a stem cell mobilizing agent and LMWH, to produce a third population of cells;
• wherein the third population of cells comprises natural killer cells that are CD56+, CD3−, CD16− or CD16+, and CD94+ or CD94−, and wherein at least 80% of the natural killer cells are viable;
• wherein the method of treatment additionally comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of IL-2.

A method of suppressing the proliferation of multiple myeloma cells comprising contacting the multiple myeloma cells with a plurality of natural killer cells, wherein the natural killer cells are by a method comprising the steps of:

• (a) culturing hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells in a first medium comprising a stem cell mobilizing agent and thrombopoietin (Tpo) to produce a first population of cells;
• (b) culturing the first population of cells in a second medium comprising a stem cell mobilizing agent and interleukin-15 (IL-15), and lacking Tpo, to produce a second population of cells;
• and
• (c) culturing the second population of cells in a third medium comprising IL-2 and IL-15, and lacking a stem cell mobilizing agent and LMWH, to produce a third population of cells;
• wherein the third population of cells comprises natural killer cells that are CD56+, CD3−, CD16− or CD16+, and CD94+ or CD94−, and wherein at least 80% of the natural killer cells are viable;
• wherein said method of suppressing additionally comprises contacting the multiple myeloma cells with IL-2.