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Review
. 2025 Feb;206(2):443-446.
doi: 10.1111/bjh.19939. Epub 2024 Dec 2.

Advances and challenges in chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cell immunotherapy for cancer

Hind Rafei  1 , Katayoun Rezvani  1
Affiliations
Review

Advances and challenges in chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cell immunotherapy for cancer

Hind Rafei et al. Br J Haematol. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-natural killer (NK)-cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy in the treatment of haematological malignancies and solid cancers. Leveraging the innate immune properties of NK cells, CAR-NK-cell therapies offer potential advantages for cell therapy, including safety of use in the allogeneic setting and reduced risk of toxicity. This Nutshell provides an overview of the latest advancements in CAR-NK-cell therapy and the challenges that remain.

Keywords: CAR‐NK; NK cells; immunotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict Of Interest Statement

H.R., K.R., and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have an institutional financial conflict of interest with Takeda Pharmaceutical. K.R. and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have an institutional financial conflict of interest with Affimed GmbH. K.R. participates on the Scientific Advisory Board for Avenge Bio, Virogin Biotech, Navan Technologies, Caribou Biosciences, Bit Bio Limited, Replay Holdings, oNKo Innate, The Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy ACGT, and Innate Pharma. K.R. is the Scientific founder of Syena.

References

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    1. Tarannum M, et al. CAR memory–like NK cells targeting the membrane proximal domain of mesothelin demonstrate promising activity in ovarian cancer. Science Advances 10, eadn0881 (2024). - PMC - PubMed

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