cytokine-induced killer cells + gamma delta T cells

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and gamma delta (γδ) T cells are both types of immune effector cells used in adoptive cell therapy for cancer. CIK cells are typically generated by ex vivo expansion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies, and interleukin-2 (IL-2), resulting in a heterogeneous population dominated by CD3+CD56+ cells with MHC-unrestricted potent anti-tumor activity. Gamma delta T cells are a distinct subset of T lymphocytes that express a T-cell receptor (TCR) composed of γ and δ chains, allowing them to recognize non-peptide phosphoantigens without MHC restriction. The combination of these two cell types aims to leverage their synergistic cytotoxic mechanisms, broader tumor recognition, and enhanced infiltration into solid tumors. This combination therapy has been investigated primarily in clinical trials for various malignancies, including lung cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma, often as an adjuvant to chemotherapy or as a standalone immunotherapy.

Other names

gamma delta T-CIK cellsGDT-CIKgamma delta T cell-induced killer cellsCIK + gamma delta T cells