Equipping NK Cells with CARs

Abstract

Adding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to natural killer (NK) cells is garnering interest as a therapeutic strategy because this immune cell type doesn't cause graft-versus-host disease, making its widespread, off-the-shelf use feasible. Based on promising preclinical data, a phase I/II trial of one such CAR NK-cell therapy is under way, targeting CD19 in hematologic malignancies.