Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of NantKwest, Inc., of our report dated March 30, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the three year period ended December 31, 2015, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in this Prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement.
| /s/ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. |
| San Diego, California |
| August 17, 2016 |