Clinical application of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell therapy in colorectal cancer: Current strategies and future challenges

Celine Man Ying Li; Runhao Li; Paul Drew; Timothy Price; Eric Smith; Guy J Maddern; Yoko Tomita; Kevin Fenix

doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102665

Clinical application of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell therapy in colorectal cancer: Current strategies and future challenges

Cancer Treat Rev. 2024 Jan:122:102665. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102665. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

Authors

Celine Man Ying Li¹, Runhao Li², Paul Drew¹, Timothy Price², Eric Smith³, Guy J Maddern¹, Yoko Tomita², Kevin Fenix⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia.
² Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia; Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and The University of Adelaide, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia.
³ Department of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia; Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and The University of Adelaide, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia.
⁴ Department of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia. Electronic address: kevin.fenix@adelaide.edu.au.

PMID: 38091655
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102665

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health burden and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Cytokine induced killer (CIK) cell therapy is an immunotherapy which has the potential to meet this need. Clinical trials of CIK cell therapy for the management of CRC have reported improved clinical outcomes. However, production and delivery protocols varied significantly, and many studies were reported only in Chinese language journals. Here we present the most comprehensive review of the clinical CIK cell therapy trials for CRC management to date. We accessed both English and Chinese language clinical studies, and summarise how CIK cell therapy has been implemented, from manufacturing to patient delivery. We discuss current challenges that impede wider adoption of CIK cell therapy in CRC management.

Keywords: Adoptive cell therapies; CIK cell therapy; Cancer treatment; Colorectal cancer; Cytokine induced killer cells; Immunotherapy; NK T cells.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Colorectal Neoplasms* / therapy
Combined Modality Therapy
Cytokines
Humans
Immunotherapy, Adoptive* / methods

Substances

Cytokines