Re-engineering the function of natural killer cell receptors via CRISPR/Cas9: a new approach for ‘off-the-shelf’ immunotherapy

We investigated the generation of Natural Killer cells (immune cells) from gene-edited stem cells to provide an ‘off-the-shelf’ supply for anti-cancer immunotherapy. Using a molecular technique called CRISPR/Cas9 technology, Natural Killer cell activation receptors were redirected to target ovarian cancer cells. The approach established within this thesis forms the basis for the production of large numbers of well-defined therapy cells with tumour specificity, on-demand delivery, ability to treat multiple patients with the same product and potentially treating solid cancers. The reduced production cost of these cells is indicative of lower cost to patients and health care systems, making effective anti-cancer immunotherapy more accessible.