Gene-Based Natural Killer Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Pediatric Hematologic Malignancies

Pediatric blood cancers are among the most common malignancies that afflict children. Intensive chemotherapy is not curative in many cases, and novel therapies are urgently needed. NK cells hold promise for use as immunotherapeutic effectors due to their favorable safety profile, intrinsic cytotoxic properties, and potential for genetic modification that can enhance specificity and killing potential. NK cells can be engineered to express CARs targeting tumor-specific antigens, to downregulate inhibitory and regulatory signals, to secrete cytokine, and to optimize interaction with small molecule engagers. Understanding NK cell biology is key to designing immunotherapy for clinical translation.