Successful treatment of smouldering Human T cell Leukemia Virus Type1 associated bronchiolitis and alveolar abnormalities with amplified natural killer therapy

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Dec 7;14(12):e244619. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-244619.

Abstract

In amplified natural killer (ANK) cell immunotherapy, NK cells are extracted from the patient's blood, cultured for enhancing its anticancer effects and amplified before they are returned to the body. Here, we administered ANK therapy to an 81-year-old female patient diagnosed with smouldering human T cell leukaemia virus-associated bronchioloalveolar disorder. After eight sessions of twice-weekly NK cell infusion, the bilateral diffuse granular shadows on a CT scan and the overall respiratory function improved markedly. Later, the patient received outpatient treatment without serious side effects. Thus, ANK therapy may be safe for elderly patients owing to its infrequent side effects.

Keywords: cancer intervention; infections; malignant disease and immunosuppression; respiratory system.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bronchiolitis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Killer Cells, Natural
  • Leukemia, T-Cell*