Dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cells combined with chemotherapy in treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients:The clinical effectiveness

Objective: To evaluate the safety and therapeutic effect of dentritic cell(DC)-cytokine induced killer cells(CIKs) combined with chemotherapy in treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients.Methods: Fifty patients with advanced NSCLC(stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ),who were admitted to Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Province from August 2008 to January 2010,were treated by DC-CIK combined with chemotherapy(docetaxel+cisplatin) and were taken as the combined treatment group;another fifty advanced NSCLC patients who were treated with chemotherapy alone(docetaxel+cisplatin) during the same period were taken as controls.The immune function,therapeutic effect,1-year survival,life quality,and side effects were compared between the two groups.Furthermore,the safety and therapeutic effects of DC-CIK therapy were observed.Results: DC-CIK cells from NSCLC patients were successfully induced,the ratios of CD3+CD8+ and CD3+CD56+ cells in DC-CIK cells were significantly increased after culture(P0.05).There were no obvious changes of T cell subsets in the peripheral blood after combined therapy,and the therapy increased IFN-γ level(P0.05).In the chemotherapy group,the ratios of CD3+CD4+,CD3+CD8+,CD3-CD56+ cells and IL-2,TNF-α levels were significantly decreased after cell culture(P0.05);and the ratios of CD3+CD8+,CD3+CD56+ cells in DC-CIK was increased(P0.05).The disease control rate(DCR) of combined therapy group was higher than that in chemotherapy group(78.0% vs 56.0%,P0.05);the 1-year survival rates of combined therapy group and chemotherapy group were 50% and 44%,respectively,showing no significant difference(P0.05).The combined therapy group had less side effects(including bone marrow suppression,nausea and vomiting,and peripheral nerve toxicity)compared with the control chemotherapy group(P0.05).The physical condition and appetite of NSCLC patients in the combined therapy group were better than those in chemotherapy group.Conclusion: Treatment with DC-CIK cells combined with chemotherapy is safe and effective for advanced NSCLC,and it can also improve the remission rate,survival and quality of life of NSCLC patients.