pembrolizumab + DC-CIK cells

**pembrolizumab + DC-CIK cells** is an investigational combination immunotherapy using the **anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab** and **dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer (DC-CIK) cell therapy**. Pembrolizumab inhibits the PD-1 receptor on immune cells, blocking a key checkpoint for immune suppression, while DC-CIK cells are adoptive cellular therapeutics generated ex vivo by co-culturing patient-derived dendritic cells (potent antigen-presenting cells) with cytokine-induced killer cells, expanding cytotoxic lymphocyte populations with enhanced tumor killing ability. The combination is thought to synergistically boost immune-mediated tumor lysis: pembrolizumab reverses T cell inhibition and enhances the expansion and cytotoxic function of DC-CIK cells[1][5]. Preclinical and case report evidence indicates enhanced anti-tumor effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with increased production of IFN-γ, granzyme B, and perforin 1, and possibly greater tumor marker reduction versus either therapy alone[1][5]. The primary mechanism is enhanced antitumor immune response through checkpoint inhibition and adoptive cell transfer.

Brand names

Keytruda

Other names

pembrolizumab plus DC-CIK cellspembrolizumab + dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cells