Open AccessCAR-NK cell therapeutics for hematologic malignancies: hope is on the horizon
Author(s) -
Kailin Xu,
Hai Cheng
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
blood science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2543-6368
DOI - 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000028
Subject(s) - chimeric antigen receptor , immunology , immunotherapy , effector , natural killer cell , cancer research , lymphokine activated killer cell , nk 92 , innate immune system , biology , medicine , antigen , interleukin 21 , cytotoxicity , immune system , cd8 , biochemistry , in vitro
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has achieved significant success in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, treatment-related toxicity and side effects remain the major drawbacks. As an important effector cell in innate immunity, natural killer (NK) cells exert strong antitumor functions and have better application prospects in the immunotherapy of hematologic malignancies. Compared with T cells, NK cells exhibit several advantages such as MHC-independent recognition. CAR-modified NK (CAR-NK) cells may exhibit a better ability of killing tumor cells. Herein, we review mainly preclinical data related to the development of CAR-NK cells in treating blood cancers.