fig2

Figure 2. Key steps in creating “off-the-shelf” CAR-NK cells. The process initiates with the selection of a starting cell population based on different considerations, which can be an established NK cell line (NK-92), primary NK cells isolated from donor blood or umbilical cord blood, or NK cells differentiated from engineered iPSCs. These progenitor cells undergo a critical genetic modification phase where a CAR construct is introduced, enabling specific tumor antigen recognition. The engineering process often includes additional enhancements, for instance, the constitutive expression of IL-15 to support cell survival or the knockout of inhibitory receptors. Finally, in vitro and in vivo tests will be performed before entering the clinical phase to evaluate the therapy in patients. Created in BioRender. Tong, C. (2025) https://BioRender.com/40bqe2r. CAR-NK: Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer; NK: natural killer; CAR: chimeric antigen receptor; iPSCs: induced pluripotent stem cells; IL-15: interleukin-15.