clinical observation of chemotherapy combined with autologous cytokine-induced killer cells and dendritic cells for advanced gastric cancer

Objective　To evaluate the clinical effects of chemotherapy combined with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and dendritic cells (DC) on advanced gastric cancer. Methods　Seventy-two cases with advanced gastric cancer (stage Ⅳ) treated in 309 Hospital of PLA from Jan. 2011 to Jan. 2013 were randomly divided into chemotherapy group and combined therapeutic group. Chemotherapy group consisted of 35 cases, received 6 to 10 cycles of chemotherapy with the protocol of FOLFOX 4. Combined therapeutic group consisted of 37 cases, beside receiving the same chemotherapeutical protocol, they were given autologous CIK cells combined with subcutaneous injection of DC near inguinal and axillary lymph nodes. The changes in tumor burden, cellular immune responses (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD3+CD56+, CD3–CD56+ and CD4+/CD8+) and the Karnofsky's grade were determined, and the 2-year survival rate of both groups was recorded. Results　All patients were followed up for 9~30 months (average 22 months). The disease control rate (DCR) was significantly higher in combined therapeutic group (70.3%, 26/37) than in chemotherapy group (54.3%, 19/35, P<0.05). The proportions of CD3+, CD4+, CD3+CD56+ and CD3–CD56+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ increased significantly after the treatment in the combined therapeutic group, while the proportion of CD8+ was lowered (P<0.05). The Karnofsky's grade increased by –8-13(–5±10) in the chemotherapy group, and by –6-15(–3±12) in the combined therapeutic group, but no significant difference was found between the two groups (P>0.05). The 2-year survival rates in the chemotherapy group and the combined therapeutic group were 57.1% and 64.9%, respectively, with no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion　Chemotherapy combined with autologous CIK cells transfusion and DC injection may improve the treatment result in patients with advanced gastric cancer, by enhancing the autoimmune function, thus it improves the life quality, and it is found to be safe in treatment of patients suffering from advanced gastric cancer. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2015.06.11