Researchers at MIT and Harvard Medical School have developed a method to enhance natural killer cells that could transform cancer immunotherapy. The team engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer cells with modifications that prevent immune system rejection and improve their ability to destroy tumors. Early experiments in mice and laboratory human tissue show the enhanced cells are effective at fighting cancer and well tolerated, offering a promising foundation for next-generation treatments.
The approach addresses a key limitation of current CAR-T cell therapies, which use a patient's own T cells and can be costly and time-consuming to produce. Natural killer cells, by contrast, can be sourced from healthy donors and used off-the-shelf. However, they are often rejected by the patient's immune system and have limited persistence. The MIT and Harvard team introduced genetic modifications that make the natural killer cells invisible to the host immune system, while also boosting their cancer-killing activity.
The enhanced cells, described in a study published in a peer-reviewed journal, were tested against several cancer types in preclinical models. The researchers found that the modified natural killer cells could eradicate tumors without causing significant side effects. The cells also persisted in the body for longer periods, potentially reducing the need for repeated infusions.
Several companies are also exploring natural killer cell therapies. For example, Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE: CLDI) is focused on developing stem cell-based platforms for cancer immunotherapy. The broader field is attracting significant investment, with many firms pursuing next-generation cell therapies that are more accessible and effective.
The MIT and Harvard findings represent a step forward in making natural killer cell therapy a viable option for a wider range of patients. If these results are replicated in human trials, they could lead to new treatments for cancers that are resistant to existing immunotherapies. The researchers are now working to advance the technology toward clinical testing, with hopes of launching a trial within the next few years.
The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations. The researchers have filed patents on the technology and are exploring partnerships to accelerate its development.
