CAR NK cell therapy for solid tumors: potential and challenges

CAR-T cell therapy has shown promise but is constrained by side effects and limited efficacy in treating solid tumors. Compared to CAR-T cells, CAR natural killer (NK) cells derived from multiple versatile sources exhibit more favorable safety profiles and possess the unique ability to refine cytotoxic activity, serve as off-the-shelf options, and target a broad range of tumors. However, several challenges still impede the development and implementation of CAR NK cell therapy for solid tumors. This review article outlines the therapeutic strategies, advantages, limitations, and potential solutions, while providing insight into the future landscape by challenging current knowledge in the field. It also discusses optimizing CAR NK cell structure, addressing obstacles in the clinical utility of CAR NK cell therapy, and integrating it into standard cancer treatment regimens. Ultimately, we aim to navigate the crucial challenges in treating solid tumors and explore the future of this approach.