Adoptive Immunotherapy Strategies with Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) Cells in the Treatment of Hematological Malignancies

Abstract

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are a heterogeneous population of immune effector cells that feature a mixed T- and Natural killer (NK) cell-like phenotype in their terminally-differentiated CD3+CD56+ subset. The easy availability, high proliferation rate and widely major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted antitumor activity of CIK cells contribute to their particularly advantageous profile, making them an attractive approach for adoptive immunotherapy. CIK cells have shown considerable cytotoxicity against both solid tumors and hematological malignancies in vitro and in animal studies. Recently, initial clinical experiences demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of CIK cell immunotherapy in cancer patients, even at advanced disease stages. Likewise, the clinical application of CIK cells in combination with standard therapeutic procedures revealed synergistic antitumor effects. In this report, we will focus our consideration on CIK cells in the treatment of hematological malignancies. We will give insight into the latest advances and future perspectives and outline the most prominent results obtained in 17 clinical studies. Overall, CIK cells demonstrated a crucial impact on the treatment of patients with hematological malignancies, as evidenced by complete remissions, prolonged survival durations and improved quality of life. However, up to now, the optimal application schedule eventually favoring their integration into clinical practice has still to be developed.

Effect of Chinese Medicine XIAOJI Decoction Combined with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Transfusion of Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells in Patients with Stage III B/IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

“…On the other hand, CIK cell infusion can improve the immune function of patients, which was consistent with other studies [27][28][29][30], indicating that maintaining and enhancing immune functions played a crucial role in improving quality of life and survival in lung cancer patients. There was only 1 case of mild fever in treatment group after treatment, while the patient could relieve by symptomatic treatment.…”

Clinical outcome of immunotherapy with dendritic cell vaccine and cytokine-induced killer cell therapy in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer

“…The QOL and overall survival of these patients were improved, without severe adverse effects (19,23,32). The mortality rate was lower in the I group compared with that in the NI group and the overall survival was prolonged, proving that immunotherapy is an effective method for cancer treatment (10,33).…”

“…CIK cells thus have the potential to eradicate residual cancer cells, thereby preventing recurrence following tumor resection. These properties have led to CIK cells being included in immunotherapy strategies against cancer (1,(23)(24)(25). Immunotherapy is commonly used together with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine and other cancer therapies (26)(27)(28)(29).…”

Influence of autologous dendritic cells on cytokine-induced killer cell proliferation, cell phenotype and antitumor activity in vitro

“…It aims to stimulate the immune system of patients to triggered an anti-tumor immune response, eventually enhancing the body's natural abilities to recognize and kill cancer cells (2). Additional research found that cellular immunotherapy based in different immune cells had various anti-tumor efficacy (3).…”