title: Repeated transfusions of autologous cytokine-induced killer cells for treatment of haematological malignancies in elderly patients: a pilot clinical trial.
abstract: The elderly population is susceptible to haematological malignancies, and these elderly patients are intolerant to cytotoxic drugs. Therefore, the exploration of a safe and reliable strategy exclusive of chemotherapy is critical in improving the prognosis of elderly patients with haematological malignancies. We evaluated the safety and the efficacy of autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells combined with recombinant human interleukin 2 (rhIL-2) in the treatment of haematological malignancies in elderly patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 20 elderly patients with haematological malignancies, then augmented by priming with interferon gamma, rhIL-2 and CD3 monoclonal antibody. The autologous CIK cells (2-3 × 10(9)) were transfused back to patients, followed by a subcutaneous injection of IL-2 (1 mU/day) for 10 consecutive days. The regimen was repeated every 4 weeks. The host cellular immune function, tumour-related biological parameters, imaging characteristics, disease condition, quality of life and survival time were assessed. Fourteen patients received 8 cycles of transfusion and 6 received 4 cycles. No adverse effects were observed. The percentages of CD3(+), CD3(+) CD8(+) and CD3(+) CD56(+) cells were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the levels of serum β2 microglobulin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were markedly decreased (p < 0.05) after autologous CIK cell transfusion. Cancer-related symptoms were profoundly alleviated, as demonstrated by the improved quality of life (p < 0.01). Complete remission was observed in 11 patients, persistent partial remission in 7 patients and stable disease in 2 patients. At the end of follow-up, the mean survival time was 20 months. Transfusion with autologous CIK cells plus rhIL-2 treatment is safe and effective for treating haematological malignancies in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Hematology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xue-chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Rui-li
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xiao-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Han-ren
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Hong-li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Li-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Wei-dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000637:transplantation; D015897:Comorbidity; D055612:Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016305:Thymopentin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D016305:Thymopentin