cytokine-induced killer cells (Dalian University)

CIK cells without PD-1 blocking refers to autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells used as a standalone cellular immunotherapy intervention, specifically as a comparator arm in clinical research. CIK cells are a heterogeneous population of ex vivo-expanded T lymphocytes, predominantly characterized by a CD3+CD56+ phenotype, which combines the potent cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells with the proliferative capacity of T cells. These cells are typically derived from a patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and expanded using a cocktail of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), anti-CD3 antibodies, and interleukin-2 (IL-2). Their mechanism of action involves non-MHC-restricted tumor cell lysis, largely mediated by the interaction between the NKG2D receptor on CIK cells and stress-induced ligands on tumor cells. In the specific context of trials conducted by Dalian University (e.g., NCT03282435), these cells are evaluated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to establish a baseline efficacy for CIK therapy before comparing it to CIK cells modified with PD-1 checkpoint blockade.

Other names

CIK cells without PD-1 blockingCIK cellsautologous CIK cellscytokine-induced killer cells