Sequential Cytokine-Induced Killer Cell Immunotherapy Enhances the Efficacy of the Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Chemotherapy Regimen for Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Yin Li,Jian-Jun Li,Wei-Xi Shen,Mo-Fa Gu,Li-Zhi Liu,Jian-Chuan Xia,Hua Zhang,Yong-Qiang Li,Ke Pan,Pierre Busson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0130620

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of sequential cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) immunotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) regimen chemotherapy in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Between September 2006 and April 2010, 222 NPC patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy completion were retrospectively analyzed: 112 patients received 4–6 cycles of GC chemotherapy at 4-week intervals, followed by at least 4 cycles of CIK immunotherapy at 2-week intervals (GC+CIK group); the remaining 110 patients received 4–6 cycles of GC chemotherapy alone (GC group). The evaluation of long-term efficacy showed that the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was significantly higher in the GC+CIK group (log-rank test; p = 0.009), as was the overall survival (OS) rate (p = 0.006). In conclusion, sequential CIK treatment may be effective in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of GC chemotherapy for metastatic NPC patients. This study provides a basis for alternative therapeutic strategies for metastatic NPC.

Highlights

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the leading malignant tumors endemic in Southern China and Southeast Asia [1]
The adverse events associated with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy mainly consisted of allergic reactions, hematologic toxicity and gastrointestinal reactions, as has been previously reported [17]
We found that GC chemotherapy combined with CIK transfusion can effectively improve the clinical outcome of post-radiotherapy distant metastasis of NPC patients compared with GC treatment alone

Summary

Introduction

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the leading malignant tumors endemic in Southern China and Southeast Asia [1]. CIK Cells and GC Chemotherapy for Metastatic NPC have often been reported in patients who undergo radiotherapy. A variety of comprehensive therapies based on chemotherapy as a palliative treatment for advanced NPC patients have been reported [4,5,6]. At Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, we first used gemcitabine (GEM) plus cisplatin (DDP) regimen (GC chemotherapy) in clinic practice as a first-line neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen for patients with locoregionally advanced NPC. This chemotherapy regimen showed a higher response rate and better long-term efficacy than other traditional regimen chemotherapies [7]. For patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy, more effective therapy methods still need to be investigated

Methods

Results

Conclusion