Safety analysis of ex vivo-expanded NK and NK-like T cells administered to cancer patients: a phase I clinical study

Immunotherapy. 2009 Sep;1(5):753-64. doi: 10.2217/imt.09.47.

Abstract

The chimeric state after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation provides a platform for adoptive immunotherapy using donor-derived immune cells. The major risk with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) is the development of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Development of new DLI products with antitumor reactivity and reduced GvHD risk represents a challenging task in cancer immunotherapy. Although natural killer (NK) and NK-like T cells are promising owing to their antitumor activity, their low concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells reduces their utility in DLIs. We have recently developed a system that allows expansion of clinical-grade NK and NK-like T cells in large numbers. In this study, the safety of donor-derived long-term ex vivo-expanded human NK and NK-like T cells given as DLIs was investigated as immunotherapy for cancer in five patients following allogeneic stem cell infusion. Infusion of the cells was safe whether administered alone or with IL-2 subcutaneously. No signs of acute GvHD were observed. One patient with hepatocellular carcinoma showed markedly decreased serum alpha-fetoprotein levels following cell infusions. These findings suggest that the use of ex vivo-expanded NK and NK-like T cells is safe and appears an attractive approach for further clinical evaluation in cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / transplantation
  • Lymphocyte Transfusion*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / immunology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / metabolism*
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / pathology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / transplantation
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Tumor Burden / immunology