DC-CIK cell therapy

DC-CIK cell therapy is an adoptive cellular immunotherapy that combines two distinct cell types: autologous dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. DCs are potent antigen-presenting cells that are pulsed with tumor-associated antigens to prime and activate the patient's immune system. CIK cells are a heterogeneous population of T-lymphocytes (typically CD3+CD56+) that possess non-MHC-restricted natural killer (NK)-like cytotoxic activity. The interaction between DCs and CIK cells promotes the maturation, proliferation, and anti-tumor efficacy of the CIK cells. The cytotoxic activity of CIK cells is primarily mediated by the interaction of activating receptors—specifically Natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D), Natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 3 (NKp30/NCR3), and DNAX accessory molecule 1 (DNAM-1/CD226)—with their corresponding ligands on tumor cells. This intravenous therapy is utilized to treat a wide range of solid tumors and hematological malignancies, often as an adjuvant treatment to chemotherapy or surgery to improve overall survival and reduce recurrence.

Other names

Dendritic cell-cytokine-induced killer cell therapyAutologous DC-CIK cell therapyDC-CIK