Engineering natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy

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Summary Natural killer (NK) cells are capable of directly targeting and eliminating cancer cells without prior exposure to specific antigens. Adoptive NK cell therapy is increasingly recognized as a promising strategy within the realm of cancer immunotherapy. However, the clinical efficacy of NK cells is often curtailed by various suppressive factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent advancements in biomaterials have offered innovative solutions to these challenges by facilitating the engineering and modification of NK cells. This review presents the latest developments in engineering modifications and advancements in NK cell-based therapies. We outline the underlying anti-cancer mechanisms and clinical applications of engineered NK cells, summarizing common modification strategies and their respective mechanisms. Additionally, we highlight the advantages conferred by NK cell engineering. Finally, we address the current challenges and explore future perspectives in the engineering of NK cells to advance their efficacy in cancer immunotherapy.