In humans, the major activating NK receptors with prominent roles in tumour surveillance include natural killer group 2D (NKG2D), DNAX accessory molecule‐1 (DNAM‐1), the SLAM‐family receptor 2B4, the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) NKp30, NKp44 and NKp46 (Fig. 1b), as well as activating killer immunoglobulin receptors (KIRs), NKG2C‐CD94 and CD16 [19, 20, 24, 25]. This evidence concerns the gene NCR1 and neoplasm.