LAUSR

NK cells play a critical role in antiviral and antitumor responses. Although current NK cell immune therapies have focused primarily on cancer biology, many of these advances can be readily applied to target HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)‐infected cells. Promising developments include recent reports that CAR NK cells are capable of targeted responses while producing less off‐target and toxic side effects than are associated with CAR T cell therapies. Further, CAR NK cells derived from inducible pluripotent stem cells or cell lines may allow for more rapid “off‐the‐shelf” access. Other work investigating the IL‐15 superagonist ALT‐803 (now N803) may also provide a recourse for enhancing NK cell responses in the context of the immunosuppressive and inflammatory environment of chronic HIV/SIV infections, leading to enhanced control of viremia. With a broader acceptance of research supporting adaptive functions in NK cells it is likely that novel immunotherapeutics and vaccine modalities will aim to generate virus‐specific memory NK cells. In doing so, better targeted NK cell responses against virus‐infected cells may usher in a new era of NK cell‐tuned immune therapy.