In a nutshell
The authors aimed to determine the effect of cytokine-induced killer cells for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Some background
Cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) are man-made immune cells (fight infection and disease) that can recognize infected or cancerous cells in the absence of other immune cells, which allows for a fast and strong immune reaction. CIK therapy can be used in combination with another treatment option, such as chemotherapy, to increase patients response and survival.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CIK cells in lung cancer patients.
1,172 patients were used in this study. 90% of patients had advanced lung cancer or cancer that had spread to other parts of the body. Patients were split into two groups – one group received chemotherapy alone and one group received chemotherapy and CIK cell therapy.
Patients in the CIK group had a significantly prolonged average survival time compared to patients in the non-CIK group, and had a 50% increased overall survival (patients who did not die from lung cancer following treatment) when treated with CIK therapy compared to non-CIK patients. The 1-year survival rate was 56% for CIK patients compared to 45% in non-CIK patients. The 2-year survival rate was 43% in CIK patients compared to 27% in non-CIK patients. Patients who received CIK therapy also experienced a longer period of time from treatment until cancer progression compared to non-CIK patients.
Patients who received CIK therapy experienced increases in immune cells involved in cancer cell removal and increases in cells that boosted the immune system and response to cancer compared to patients who did not receive CIK therpay. Patients in the CIK group experienced lower levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA – protein increased in the blood when cancer is present).
Patients in the CIK group experienced less severe side-effects to treatment compared to non-CIK patients (stomach and intestine problems, decreases in red and white blood cell counts, liver problems etc). However, fever was more likely to occur in the CIK group compared to the non-CIK group.
The bottom line
The authors conclude that using CIK therapy in combination with chemotherapy increased overall survival, patient response and boosted the immune system with minimal side-effects.
The fine print
Numerous articles were included in this study which may have led to biased results.
What’s next?
If you are considering CIK therapy as a treatment for lung cancer, please consult your doctor for potential risks and benefits.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
Nov 20, 2014
