Figure 2.

Strategies involved to improve the tumor infiltration of NK cells, overcome tumor escape and exhaustion. NK cells can be engineered to express CAR and specific chemokine receptors to increase their infiltration in solid tumors. Upon entry into the TME, NK cells can be impaired by its immune suppressive features. Blockade of inhibitory receptors (TIM-3, NKG2A, KIR) on NK cells can increase their antitumor cytotoxicity. Further, inhibition of immune-modulatory molecules (TGF-β) can prevent exhaustion in NK cells and maintain their cytotoxic features. Illustration created using BioRender.com.