Cytokine Induced Killer (CIK) cells for the treatment of haematological neoplasms

Immunol Lett. 2013 Sep-Oct;155(1-2):27-30. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2013.09.017. Epub 2013 Sep 29.

Abstract

Cytokine Induced Killer (CIK) cells are in vitro activated human CD8 T cells which have maintained several characteristics of T-EMRA cells and additionally acquired non specific anti tumoral cytotoxicity and CD56 overexpression, thus representing a cell population with double T and NK phenotype. Due to their in vivo intratumoral homing and lack of Graft versus Host (GVH) reactivity, CIK cells have been extensively used in cancer patients either in autologous or allogeneic contexts. Here we summarise CIK main biological features as well as their most prominent clinical results.

Keywords: Cytokine Induced Killer (CIK) cells; Haematologic neoplasms; Hematopoietic stem cells transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD56 Antigen / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / transplantation
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*

Substances

  • CD56 Antigen
  • Cytokines