Open AccessAutologous Dendritic Cells Combined with Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells Synergize Low-Dose Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Author(s) -
Min Dong,
Der Cherng Liang,
Y Li,
Desheng Kong,
Pan Kang,
K Li,
Chow Yock Ping,
Y Zhang,
Xinna Zhou,
Luojia Hong
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of international medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1473-2300
pISSN - 0300-0605
DOI - 10.1177/147323001204000405
Subject(s) - medicine , cytokine induced killer cell , immunotherapy , cytokine , myeloid , chemotherapy , immunology , immune system , oncology , cd8 , cd3
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibility of culturing dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, obtained at initial diagnosis of AML in elderly patients, and to investigate the safety and efficacy of treatment with autologous DCs and CIK cells when administered to these patients in combination with low-dose chemo therapy. METHODS: DCs and CIK cells obtained at initial diagnosis of AML in elderly patients were cultured and used in combination with low-dose chemo therapy to treat these patients (immunotherapy group). Elderly patients with AML treated only with low-dose chemotherapy served as the control. Before treatment and on day 7 after treatment with autologous DCs and CIK cells, T cell subsets and cytokine levels were evaluated in the immunotherapy group. RESULTS: A total of 21 elderly patients with AML were included in the immunotherapy group and 23 in the control group. The clinical efficacy in the immunotherapy group was greater than in the control group. The percentages of T cell subsets and cytokine levels after immunotherapy treatment were significantly higher than before the treatment. CONCLUSION: Immuno therapy with autologous DCs and CIK cells was found to be a promising candidate for treatment of AML in elderly patients.