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Updated: Jul 8, 2025

Advances in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells
Published on: February 14, 2025
Development of CAR-NK Cells Targeting cSCC-Specific Antigens for Precision Immunotherapy
Akram Tayanloo-Beik1, Peyvand Parhizkar Roudsari2, Hamidreza Aghayan1
1Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), a non-melanoma skin cancer that is frequently diagnosed, is distinguished by its propensity for aggressive behavior, frequent poor response to standard therapy, and capacity to metastasize to distant areas. Utilizing the body's natural immune defense mechanisms, particularly through the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology, is receiving increasing attention in the dynamic field of oncological therapies. Although T cells have received most of the attention, this strategy has proven to be highly effective in battling some blood-related malignancies. However, there are considerable challenges when using this method in the context of solid tumors. The innate immune system's natural killer (NK) cells are essential parts because they have the ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. CAR-NK cells are a very promising approach because they combine the natural cytotoxic properties of natural killer (NK) cells with the precise targeting skills of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology. With the use of this integrated strategy, the intrinsic diversity of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) tumors may be successfully targeted, increasing treatment effectiveness and lowering the risk of tumor recurrence. This tactic is improved by the development of dual-specificity chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which fully resolve the antigen presentation heterogeneity among tumor cells. In conclusion, the use of CAR-NK cells that precisely target cSCC-specific antigens has the potential to drastically transform therapy approaches for cSCC as well as other difficult solid tumors as oncological research advances. In order to create chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-natural killer (NK) cells that particularly target antigens linked to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), the goal of this protocol is to present a detailed method. The ultimate objective is to lay the groundwork for the development of precision immunotherapy.

