Clinical observation of Co-treatment with CIK cells and dendritic cells for advanced rectal cancer

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of cytoukine-induced killer(CIK)cells in combination with dendritic cells(DC) on advanced rectal cancer. Methods 89 cases with advanced rectal cancer(stage Ⅳ)treated in our hospital from August 2007 to August 2009 were divided randomly into two groups:(1) Chemotherapy group consisted of 48 cases,obtained 6 to 12 cycles of chemotherapy with the protocol of FOLFOX4;(2) Therapeutic alliance group consisted of 48 cases,besides the same chemotherapeutical protocol,were transfused of autologous CIK cells and were injected with DC into inguinal lymph nodes,axillary lymph nodes and near site. We detected the changes of tumor burden,carcinoembryonic antigen( CEA), cellular immune responses( CD+3、CD+4、CD+8、CD+4/CD+8、CD+3CD+56、CD-3CD+56),the Karnofsky's grade and 2-year cumulative survival rate. Results The effective rate of the chemotherapy group consisted of 5 partial remission( PR) and 20 minor remission( MR) was 52. 1%,and the effective rate of the therapeutic alliance group consisted of 1 complete remission( CR),8 partial remission( PR) and19 minor remission(MR) was 68. 3%. The proportions of CD+3、CD+4、CD+3CD+56、CD-3CD+56and the ratio of CD+4/CD+8were significantly increased in the therapeutic alliance group,but the proportions of CD+8was deceased. Karnofsky's grade was also increased in the therapeutic alliance group. The 2-year cumulative survival rate in the chemotherapy group and the therapeutic alliance group were 54. 2% and 70. 7%,respectively. There was significant difference between two groups(P 0. 05). Conclusion Co-treatment with CIK cells and dendritic cells,which could increase clinical effects,immunity and improve life quality,was effective and safe to sdvanced rectal cancer.