CAR‐NK, a Splendid Strategy for Cancer, Especially for Gynecologic Tumor

PMCID: PMC12171998

PMID: 40525700

DOI: 10.1002/iid3.70210

Journal: Immunity, inflammation and disease

Publication Date: 2025-6-17

Authors: Cao Y, Wang L, Wang L

Key Points

• CAR-NK cells provide a safer, more adaptable immunotherapy alternative to CAR-T cells
• Potential for "off-the-shelf" manufacturing reduces personalization complexity and treatment time
• Reduced risk of severe immune-related side effects compared to traditional CAR-T therapies

Summary

This comprehensive review explores the emerging potential of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Natural Killer (NK) cell therapy as a promising alternative to CAR-T cell treatments, particularly in gynecological cancers. Unlike traditional CAR-T approaches, CAR-NK cells offer significant advantages including enhanced safety profiles, MHC independence, and reduced risk of severe complications like Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD).

The research systematically evaluates recent methodological innovations in CAR-NK cell engineering, highlighting key technological advancements such as multi-targeted CAR designs, gene editing for improved cellular persistence, and the development of "off-the-shelf" NK cell therapies. Current clinical trials span multiple cancer types, including hematological malignancies and solid tumors, demonstrating the broad translational potential of this emerging therapeutic approach.