autologous cytokine-induced killer cells (Singapore General Hospital)

Autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells developed by Singapore General Hospital are an adoptive cellular immunotherapy investigated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These cells are generated ex vivo by culturing a patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells with a combination of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies in a GMP-compliant facility. The resulting cell population is primarily composed of CD3+CD56+ T-cells that exhibit potent, non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. In clinical trials, these cells were evaluated as an adjuvant therapy for CML patients who maintained molecularly detectable residual disease despite standard treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors like imatinib. Although the therapy demonstrated safety and feasibility, Phase I/II clinical results indicated a lack of significant clinical benefit for CML patients in the studied form.

Other names

autologous cytokine-induced killer cellsautologous CIK cellsCIK cellsAutologous Cytokine Induced Killer Cells