NK Cell Receptor Conjugates for Treating Malignancies

The present invention relates generally to compositions useful in therapies involving the selective destruction of tumor cells in vivo. In particular, this invention relates to a conjugate which comprises a target recognition segment and an active cytotoxic segment. The target recognition segment comprises a receptor specific to NK cells, wherein the receptor binds to a cellular ligand expressed on the surface of a tumor cell, and the active segment comprises an agent capable of exerting a cytotoxic effect on the tumor cell. The target recognition segment derived form the natural killer receptor NKp30 has been found to be particularly effective in vivo.