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Updated: Feb 6, 2026
07:20
Generation of Knock-out Primary and Expanded Human NK Cells Using Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins
Published on: June 14, 2018
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Current Approaches to Engineering of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy
M A Streltsova1, E V Barsov2, S A Erokhina1
1Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|August 30, 2018
Summary
Genetically modified Natural Killer (NK) cells show great promise for cancer immunotherapy, offering an alternative to T cells with reduced graft-versus-host risks. Advances in genetic engineering are overcoming previous delivery challenges, enabling effective tumor cell targeting.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Therapy
Background:
- Natural Killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes with inherent anti-cancer properties.
- Genetic and non-genetic modifications can enhance NK cell efficacy in cancer immunotherapy.
- Past challenges in gene delivery to NK cells have limited clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review various approaches for modifying NK cells to improve their anti-cancer potential.
- To discuss the advantages and future perspectives of engineered NK cell therapies.
- To highlight the potential of allogeneic NK cells in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies on genetically modified NK cells.
- Analysis of novel approaches for engineering NK cell surface receptors.
- Comparison of NK cell therapy with existing T cell-based immunotherapies.
Main Results:
- Genetically modified NK cells demonstrate comparable efficacy to therapeutic T cells in preclinical models.
- Successful methods for genetic modification of NK cells are now established.
- Allogeneic NK cells offer a reduced risk of graft-versus-host reactions.
Conclusions:
- Engineered NK cells represent a promising avenue for cancer immunotherapy.
- Overcoming gene delivery challenges has paved the way for clinical translation.
- NK cell therapy, particularly using allogeneic sources, may see widespread clinical adoption.
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