Constitutive IL-7 signaling promotes CAR-NK cell survival in the solid tumor microenvironment but impairs tumor control.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing natural killer (NK) cells has demonstrated success against hematological malignancies. Efficacy against solid tumors has been limited by poor NK cell survival and function in the suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). To enhance efficacy against solid tumors, stimulatory cytokines have been incorporated into CAR-NK cell therapeutic approaches. However, current cytokine strategies have limitations, including systemic toxicities, exogenous dependencies, and unwanted TME bystander effects. Here, we aimed to overcome these limitations by modifying CAR-NK cells to express a constitutively active interleukin (IL)-7 receptor, termed C7R, capable of providing intrinsic CAR-NK cell activation that does not rely on

SUBMITTER: Dysthe M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12315002 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature