Arming NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for treatment of refractory and/or relapsed hematological cancers: preclinical study to determine the best cell source.

Abstract

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) are the most prevalent hematological cancers in children and elder patients respectively. Sometimes, standard treatments are not enough for curing these patients and new approaches, like immunotherapy need to be explored. In the last years, Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) have arisen as one of the most promising immunotherapies. Usually these CARs are used along with T cells, developing CAR-T cells. Although autologous CAR-T cells have given very good results, their secondary side effects, like cytokine storm and neurotoxicity, are quite severe; and the CAR-T product manufacturing takes 5 weeks minimum. Because of that, we suggest NK cells as a vehicle for allogeneic CAR based treatments, as they do not cause secondary side effects or graft versus host disease. In this thesis, we look for the best cell source inorder to obtain the perfect NK cells for CAR based treatments.