Ten years of translational innovation in HER2-targeted immune cell therapy - A comprehensive review of the work of the University of Debrecen Cell and Molecular Therapy Research Group.

HER2-targeted therapies have improved outcomes in solid tumors, but their efficacy is often limited by resistance and tumor microenvironmental barriers. Over the past decade, the University of Debrecen Cell and Molecular Therapy Research Group has focused on developing CAR-engineered immune cell strategies to address these challenges. Our work spans advances in CAR-T cell design, including optimization of costimulatory signaling, development of modular targeting systems, and expansion toward off-the-shelf platforms such as CAR-NK cells. Collectively, these efforts highlight the potential of engineered immune cells to overcome key limitations of conventional therapies and support the continued evolution of CAR-based approaches for solid tumors.