02/15/2026
Patrick Soon-Shiong has introduced Anktiva, an immunotherapy designed to activate the body’s natural killer (NK) cells — a key part of the immune system that detects and destroys abnormal or cancerous cells. Rather than directly attacking tumors like chemotherapy or radiation, this approach aims to strengthen the body’s own immune defenses.
Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept) is an IL-15 superagonist that helps expand and activate NK cells and certain T cells. It has been studied in combination with other therapies, particularly in bladder cancer. In 2024, the U.S. FDA approved Anktiva in combination with BCG for certain patients with non–muscle invasive bladder cancer that is unresponsive to BCG alone.
Clinical data suggest that enhancing NK cell activity may help improve tumor response while potentially reducing some of the systemic side effects seen with traditional treatments. However, like all cancer therapies, effectiveness can vary by cancer type and patient condition, and ongoing trials are evaluating broader applications and long-term outcomes.
Experts describe treatments like Anktiva as part of a larger shift toward precision immunotherapy — focusing on empowering the immune system rather than solely destroying cancer cells through cytotoxic methods.
While continued research is needed to assess durability of response and safety across more cancer types, NK cell–based therapies represent a growing and promising frontier in oncology.
