Beyond CAR-T cells: Natural killer cells immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cell Therapy

Background:

• Refractory leukaemias, relapsed cancers post-transplant, and metastatic solid tumours in children and adolescents have poor prognoses.
• The immune system's role in cancer immunosurveillance is increasingly recognized, driving development of novel immunotherapies.
• Existing immunotherapies include checkpoint inhibitors and genetically modified T lymphocytes (e.g., tisagenlecleucel, axicabtagene ciloleucel).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of natural killer (NK) cell therapy as a novel treatment modality for paediatric and adolescent cancers.
• To highlight the advantages of NK cells, including their cytotoxic activity, safety profile, and potential for manipulation.

Main Methods:

• Review of current research on immunotherapies for refractory paediatric cancers.
• Focus on the characteristics and therapeutic potential of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes.
• Exploration of strategies for enhancing NK cell efficacy, such as genetic modification for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expression.

Main Results:

• NK cells exhibit rapid and potent cytotoxic activity against cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
• NK cell therapy demonstrates a high safety profile.
• NK cells can be expanded, manipulated, and combined with other treatments for improved therapeutic outcomes.
• Genetic engineering of NK cells for CAR expression is an emerging strategy to boost therapeutic benefits.

Conclusions:

• NK cell therapy represents a powerful and safe therapeutic tool for refractory paediatric and adolescent cancers.
• Further development and application of NK cell-based immunotherapies, including CAR-NK cells, hold significant promise for improving patient outcomes.