Enhanced NK (natural killer) cell therapy has emerged as an important approach in immunotherapy, taking advantage of the innate ability of NK cells to recognize and destroy tumor cells without prior sensitization.
Recent innovative advances, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells and genetic modification based on CRISPR -Cas9 editing technology, have significantly improved the specificity, cytotoxicity, and persistence of NK cells, making them a promising therapeutic tool.
1.CAR-NK cells;
CAR technology, originally developed for T cells, has now been successfully applied to NK cells. Scientists engineer NK cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARS), giving them enhanced specificity to recognize tumor-associated antigens, such as CD19 in B-cell malignancies. Unlike CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells offer several advantages, including a lower risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and reduced cytokine release syndrome (CRS). CAR-NK cells also exhibit faster immune responses, broader target recognition, and the ability to function without prior antigen presentation, making them particularly suitable for blood cancers and solid tumors. Some ongoing clinical trials have shown encouraging results, indicating that CAR-NK therapy has strong efficacy and better safety.
2. Application of CRISPR-Cas9 Editing Technology in NK Cells:
CRISPR-Cas9 editing technology has revolutionized engineered NK cells, enabling precise genetic modification to enhance their function. By editing genes associated with inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, TIGIT, or NKG2A, engineered NK cells can overcome tumor-induced immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, CRISPR-Cas9 editing technology can also be used to improve the persistence, metabolic adaptability, and anti-apoptosis of NK cells to ensure their long-term anti-tumor activity. Of course, CRISPR-Cas9 editing technology can optimize NK cells for combination therapy, further amplifying their therapeutic potential.
Together, engineered NK cells based on CRISPR-Cas9 editing technology have significantly enhanced the effectiveness and safety of NK cell therapy, bringing it to the forefront of cancer immunotherapy. These technological advances not only address key challenges such as tumor resistance and immunosuppression, but also provide safer and more effective treatments for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
