Study of head and neck cancer treatment by administration of autologous cytotoxic lymphocyte induced by stimulation with tumor cell--effect of adoptive immunotherapy by intra-arterial infusion of killer cells stimulated by autologous tumor in patients with maxillary carcinoma

Abstract

Autologous tumor and lymphokine activated killer (ATLAK) was induced by mixed lymphocyte and autologous tumor cell culture and further activated with recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL2). Peripheral blood lymphocytes were drawn from 2 patients with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma by means of leukapheresis, and autologous tumor cells were isolated from cancer tissue obtained from the patients by maxillary sinus open-biopsy. ATLAK was infused into maxillary artery through the superficial temporal artery 4 to 5 times in a week for 2 to 4 weeks. Lymphokine activated killer (LAK) was supplemented after 4 to 5 times infusion of ATLAK, when cell number of autologous tumor stored, as a stimulator, was not enough to continue the induction of ATLAK. The results indicated that the therapy was significantly effective on the reduction of tumor mass. Both cases received maxillectomy after the infusion therapy, and the tissues incised were histopathologically investigated. Strong anti-tumor effect was proved by the marked findings, such as tumor degeneration, and lymphocytes and scavenger macrophages infiltration around them. Side effects were minor, such as slight fever and temporary pain of the cheak at the time of cell infusion.