haploidentical lymphocyte infusion

Haploidentical lymphocyte infusion (HLI) is an adoptive cellular immunotherapy developed and investigated by the Chinese PLA General Hospital, specifically for the treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The therapy involves the infusion of lymphocytes obtained from a haploidentical (half-matched) donor to induce a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect, where donor-derived T cells recognize and eliminate residual leukemic cells in the recipient. In clinical protocols, HLI is frequently administered in combination with decitabine-based chemotherapy (such as the DCAG regimen). Decitabine acts as an epigenetic primer that upregulates the expression of cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), MHC class I and II molecules, and co-stimulatory molecules on the surface of leukemic cells. This upregulation enhances the immunogenicity of the tumor cells, making them more susceptible to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) mediated killing following the infusion of donor lymphocytes.

Other names

haploidentical donor lymphocyte infusionhaplo-DLIadoptive T cell therapy