Nature Collection on Cell Therapy
Cell therapy is becoming established as a modality that has the potential to substantially improve the treatment of a wide range of diseases. This collection features reviews on cell -based therapies for cancer, autoimmune disorders and inherited blood diseases, highlighting the technological advances such as CRISPR-based gene editing and improved viral vectors that have provided the basis for recent regulatory approvals and the rapid expansion of the cell therapy pipeline.
One review focuses on how regulatory T cells — a subset of immune cells that curb excessive immune activation and maintain immune homeostasis — are being engineered to treat autoimmune disorders. Another review covers engineered γδT cells, which are being explored as cancer therapies based on their potential to kill a wide range of haematological and solid tumours while preserving normal tissues. The collection is completed by a review describing how genetic engineering of haematopoietic stem cells is emerging as a promising alternative to allogeneic transplantation in the treatment of inherited blood diseases.
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