unmodified CIK

Unmodified CIK** refers to cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells that have not been genetically engineered or modified with chimeric antigen receptors or other extra molecules. These are a heterogeneous population of immune effector cells generated through *ex vivo* incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or cord blood mononuclear cells with a cytokine cocktail typically including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), anti-CD3 antibody, IL-1, and IL-2[5][1][3][6]. CIK cells display both T cell (CD3+) and natural killer (CD56+) cell markers and can kill tumor cells in an MHC-unrestricted manner through the NKG2D receptor and other pathways with minimal risk of graft-versus-host disease[5][7][3][2]. They exhibit clinically relevant cytotoxicity against various solid and hematological malignancies, and are being studied primarily as an adoptive cell-based immunotherapy for cancer. Their mechanism is mainly non-antigen-specific, contributing to robust anti-tumor activity without the need for prior tumor antigen identification. Clinical studies have shown improved progression-free and overall survival in some settings, with generally mild adverse effects[1][3][2][5]. Unmodified CIK cells differ from CAR-CIK and other modified CIK cell products in that they are not engineered with any new genes or receptors.

Other names

cytokine-induced killer cellCIK cellunmodified cytokine-induced killer cellunmodified CIK cell