Short-term curative efficacy of autologous cytokine induced killer cells combined with low-dose IL-2 regimen containing immune enhancement by thymic peptide in elderly patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Author:
Li-Li CAI
1
;
Yang YANG
;
Bo YANG
;
Hong-Li ZHU
;
Xue-Chun LU
;
Wen-Ying ZHANG
;
Rui-Li YU
;
Xiao-Hua CHI
;
Yao WANG
;
Han-Ren DAI
;
Wei-Dong HAN
;
Hui FAN
;
Su-Xia LI
;
Yang LIU
;
Hai-Hong RAN
;
Jie LIN
;
Shuai TUO
;
Chao-Wei TUO
;
Feng ZHANG
;
Jun-Ping CAO
;
Shan-Qian YAO
Author Information
1. Department of Geriatric Laboratory Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells;
immunology;
Humans;
Interleukin-2;
administration & dosage;
therapeutic use;
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell;
therapy;
Male;
Thymosin;
immunology
- From:
Journal of Experimental Hematology
2012;20(3):564-570
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This study was purposed to evaluate the safety and curative effect of autologous cytokine induced killer cells (CIK) combined with low-dose IL-2 regimen containing immune enhancement of thymic peptide on elderly patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Thymic peptide α1 was subcutaneously given as the immunoenhancement agent at a dose of 1.6 mg/d, 14 days as one cycle. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from 5 patients with B-CLL were isolated once a week to induce ex vivo CIK cells through culture in the context of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. The PBMNC were separated from patients before and after 14 days as one cycle of thymic peptide α1 administration. Parameters of amplification ability, effector cells quantity, lymphocyte subgroups percentage and antitumor cytotoxicity were compared before and after thymic peptide administration. The 5 patients were treated with CIK cells combined with low-dose IL-2 regimen immediately after injection of thymic peptide α1. The CIK cells plus low-dose IL-2 regimen containing thymic peptide enhancement was defined as: thymic peptide α1 1.6 mg/d was subcutaneously administered once every other day; (4 - 6) ×10(9) of CIK cells were transfused followed by IL-2 subcutaneous administration of 1 mU/d on days 1-10, 28 days as one cycle. Clinical evaluation parameters including cellular immunity function, CLL related biomarkers, disease state and infectious frequency and degree were investigated before and after CIK cells infusion puls IL-2. The results showed that the amount of amplified CIK cells, the percentage and amplification times of effector cells and antitumor cytotoxicity more significantly increased after thymic peptide α1 treatment than before its use (P < 0.05). The total 46 cycles of CIK cells infusion plus IL-2 were completed in the 5 CLL patients. No adverse reaction was observed. After treatment of CIK cells plus IL-2, the general conditions of 5 CLL patients were to different extent improved. Simultaneously, percentages of CD3(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), and CD3(+)CD56(+) cells in peripheral blood remarked by raised (P < 0.05), the serum level of β2 microglobulin was significantly declined (P < 0.05), and the frequency and degree of infection was also decreased (P < 0.05). Following CIK cells plus IL-2 therapy, the transformation of disease state from partial remission (PR) to complete remission was seen in 3 patients, from stable disease (SD) to PR in 1 patient, and from progress of disease to SD in 1 patient. It is concluded that the regimen of autologous CIK cells combined with low-dose IL-2 containing immune enhancement of thymic peptide is safety and effective for the treatment of elderly patients with B-CLL.
