FIGURE 1.
Modification of T or NK cells with CAR-encoding retro- and lentiviral vectors. On the left, a lentiviral vector is shown that transfers the genetic cargo into the T or NK cells leading to the expression of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) on the cell surface. On the right, the structure of a 3rd generation CAR is depicted with single chain variable fragment (scFv, including VH and VL chains), hinge, transmembrane and signaling domains shown. CARs can be engineered with cell-type specific modules to enhance CAR T or CAR NK cell activity. Examples of cytoplasmic signaling domains that can be engineered into CARs for T and NK cells are shown. Combining such strategies with additional genome modification approaches described in later sections of this review will lead to improved “off-the-shelf” cell products.