autologous dendritic cell-cytokine-induced killer cells

Autologous dendritic cell-cytokine-induced killer (DC-CIK) cells represent an adoptive cellular immunotherapy combining two distinct cell types to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Dendritic cells (DCs) are cultured from a patient's peripheral blood and often pulsed with tumor antigens to act as potent antigen-presenting cells. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are generated by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), anti-CD3 antibodies, and interleukin-2 (IL-2), resulting in a population of CD3+CD56+ cells with potent, non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic activity. When co-cultured or co-administered, DCs enhance the proliferation and tumor-killing capacity of CIK cells. This therapy is primarily investigated for solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), often in combination with chemotherapy or as maintenance therapy to eliminate residual disease. Dalian Municipal Central Hospital has been a key developer of this therapeutic approach in the context of lung cancer treatment.

Other names

autologous DC-CIK cellsDC-CIK therapyautologous dendritic cell-cytokine-induced killer cell therapy