Off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells dodge immunity to attack cancer
Researchers engineered donor-derived CAR-NK cells with a three-part genetic design (HLA class I knockdown, preserved HLA-E, and PD-L1 expression) to prevent host rejection and enable one-step, off-the-shelf production. In humanized mice with lymphoma, the modified cells persisted for about three weeks, evaded immune clearance, and eliminated most tumors while reducing cytokine release syndrome risk—building toward mass-produced CAR-NK therapies and upcoming human trials.