dendritic cells + cytokine-induced killer cells

DC-CIK therapy is an autologous adoptive cellular immunotherapy being investigated by Guangxi Medical University for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The therapeutic process involves the ex vivo expansion and activation of a patient's own immune cells. Specifically, peripheral blood mononuclear cells are collected and differentiated into dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer cells (CIKs). Dendritic cells act as professional antigen-presenting cells that enhance the immune system's ability to recognize tumor-associated antigens, while CIK cells are a heterogeneous population of effector T cells (primarily CD3+CD56+) that possess potent, non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. This combination therapy is designed to work synergistically to eliminate residual cancer cells and improve prognosis in patients with stage II-III nasopharyngeal carcinoma following standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Other names

DC-CIKDendritic and Cytokine-induced Killer CellsDC-CIK therapy