Novel Human NK Cell Line Carrying CAR Targeting EGFRvIII Induces Antitumor Effects in Glioblastoma Cells.

Background/aim: Natural killer (NK) cells are considered potential antitumor effector cells. The aim of this study was to establish a novel type of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cell line (CAR-KHYG-1) specific for epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII)-expressing tumors and investigate the anti-tumor activity of EGFRvIII-specific-CAR-KHYG-1 (EvCAR-KHYG-1).
Materials and Methods: EvCAR-KHYG-1 was established by self-inactivated lentiviral-based transduction of the EvCAR gene and magnetic bead-based purification of EvCAR-expressing NK cells. The anti-tumor effects of EvCAR-KHYG-1 were evaluated using growth inhibition and apoptosis detection assays in glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines (EGFRvIII-expressing and non-expressing U87MG).
Results: The findings demonstrated that EvCAR-KHYG-1 inhibited GBM cell-growth via apoptosis in an EGFRvIII-expressing specific manner.
Conclusion: This is the first study to establish a CAR NK cell line based on the human NK cell line KHYG-1. Therapy with EvCAR-KHYG-1 may be an effective treatment option for GBM patients.
(Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)