Human CAR NK cells: A new non-viral method allowing high efficient transfection and strong tumor cell killing

Abstract

CAR-NK cells may represent a valuable tool, complementary to CART cells, in adoptive immunotherapy of leukemia and solid tumors. However, gene transfer to human NK cells is a challenging task, particularly with non-virus-based techniques. Here, we describe a new procedure allowing efficient electroporation-based transfection of plasmid DNA, including CAR and CCR7 genes, in resting or cytokine-expanded human NK cell populations and NK-92 cell line. This procedure may offer a suitable platform for a safe and effective use of CAR-NK cells in adoptive immunotherapy of cancer.