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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Advances in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells
Published on: February 14, 2025
CAR-expressing NK cells for cancer therapy: a new hope
Jufeng Xia1,2, Shuichi Minamino2, Kazuma Kuwabara2
1Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
Abstract:
Since the approval in 2017 and the amazing achievement of Kymriah and Yescarta, the number of basic researchers and clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells (CAR-T cells) has been relentlessly increasing. Up to now, more than 200 clinical trials are listed on clinical trial database of NIH and the basic research is countless. However, the production of allogeneic CAR-T cells products is still expensive and has toxicity. Thus, more effort is needed to develop reliable off-the-shelf cellular therapeutic methods with safety and efficiency for the treatment of patients with cancer. As a kind of innate effector lymphocyte with potent antitumor activity, natural killer cells (NK cells) have attracted much attention. Until now, basic and clinical research has shown that chimeric antigen receptor-expressing NK cell (CAR-NK) therapy may play a significant anti-tumor role and its safety is higher than CAR-T cell therapy. In this review, we discuss advantages and shortages of employing CAR-NK cells as a novel cellular therapy against cancer.
Insights
Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapy shows promise for cancer treatment. This approach may offer improved safety and efficiency compared to existing CAR-T cell therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Cellular Therapy
Background:
- Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy has advanced cancer treatment since 2017.
- CAR-T cell therapy faces challenges including high production costs and toxicity.
- Allogeneic, "off-the-shelf" cellular therapies are needed for broader patient access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cells as a novel cancer therapy.
- To compare the safety and efficacy of CAR-NK cells with CAR-T cells.
- To discuss the advantages and limitations of CAR-NK cell therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing basic and clinical research on CAR-NK and CAR-T cell therapies.
- Analysis of preclinical and clinical trial data (where available).
- Comparative assessment of safety profiles and anti-tumor activity.
Main Results:
- Natural killer (NK) cells possess potent innate antitumor activity.
- CAR-NK cell therapy demonstrates potential anti-tumor efficacy.
- CAR-NK cell therapy may offer a higher safety profile than CAR-T cell therapy.
Conclusions:
- CAR-NK cells represent a promising alternative to CAR-T cells for cancer treatment.
- Further research is required to optimize CAR-NK cell production and application.
- CAR-NK cell therapy holds potential for safe and efficient "off-the-shelf" cancer treatment.
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