Anti-tumor activity of ex vivo expanded cytokine-induced killer cells against human hepatocellular carcinoma

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are ex vivo expanded T cells with natural killer cell phenotypes and functions. In this study, the anti-tumor activity of CIK cells against hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In the presence of anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2 for 14 days, human peripheral blood mononuclear cell population changed to heterogeneous CIK cell population, which comprised 96% CD3+, 3% CD3¡©CD56+, 32% CD3+CD56+, 11% CD4+, 75% CD8+, and 30% CD8+CD56+. CIK cells produced significant amounts of IFN-γ and TNF-α; however, produced only slight amounts of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5. At an effector–target cell ratio of 30:1, CIK cells destroyed 33% of SNU-354 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which was determined by the 51Cr-release assay. In addition, a dose of 1 × 106 CIK cells per mouse inhibited 60% of SNU-354 tumor growth in irradiated nude mice. This study suggests that CIK cells may be used as an adoptive immunotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.