CAR-T and CAR-NK Cell Engineering

represent groundbreaking approaches in immunotherapy that harness the power of genetically modified immune cells to target and eliminate cancer. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR-T) are patient-derived T lymphocytes engineered to express synthetic receptors that recognize specific tumor antigens, enabling precise targeting and destruction of malignant cells. Similarly, CAR-Natural Killer (CAR-NK) cells are engineered NK cells designed to combine innate cytotoxicity with antigen-specific targeting through CAR constructs. Compared to CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells offer advantages such as lower risk of cytokine release syndrome and graft-versus-host disease, making them promising candidates for off-the-shelf therapies. The engineering process involves gene delivery techniques, often using viral vectors or non-viral transfection methods, to introduce CAR constructs into these immune cells. These therapies have demonstrated remarkable clinical success against hematologic malignancies and are being actively investigated for solid tumors. Challenges remain, including improving persistence, trafficking to tumor sites, and overcoming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. Continued innovation in CAR design, gene editing, and manufacturing processes aims to enhance the safety, efficacy, and accessibility of CAR-T and CAR-NK therapies, marking a new era in personalized cancer treatment.