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. 2021 Aug 5;18(4):966–980. doi: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0801

Table 5.

Current modalities of cellular immunotherapy: pros and cons

Clinical indications Disadvantages needed to be improved
CAR-T-cell therapy 1. This therapy elicits rapid and high response in refractory cases 1. This therapy has non-durable efficacy
2. CAR-T therapy may be an effective way to induce remission and serve as a “bridge to transplant” 2. Suitable targets as effective as CD19 in non-B-cell malignancies are lacking
3. Toxicity is unavoidable and unpredictable
NK cell-based therapy 1. NK cells provide an “off-the-shelf” product and could be readily available for immediate clinical use 1. The efficacy of adoptively transferred allogeneic NK cell infusion is relatively limited
2. NK cell-based therapy could be applied in refractory, MRD positive, or remission cases in non- transplant settings, and could complement HSCT 2. CAR-modified NK cell therapy is largely in the preclinical phase
Allo-HSCT This therapy is currently the only curative option for hematologic malignancy 1. There is a certain incidence of transplant related mortality
2. GvHD might affect quality of life