Phase Ⅰ study of HLA-halfmatched allogeneic natural killer cells therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the safety of allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells transfusion in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Four patients with HCC after operation or chemotherapy were enrolled in this study, and received transfusion of NK cells derived from their immediate family. Numeric, phenotypic and functional characteristics of the NK cells cultured in vitro were observed. Moreover, liver function, kidney function, coagulation time test, blood routine and serum tumor markers of patients were measured at baseline and at week 4 and 12 after the transfusion, respectively.Results About 2~5×10⁹ mononuclear cells were collected from 50~80 mL peripheral blood of donors, in which NK cells accounted for 49%~83%. The cytolytic assay showed that cultured NK cells could kill HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the cytotoxicity of NK cells were further enhanced by interleukin-2. After transfusion, no patients showed occurrence of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) or significant changes in liver, kidney and heart functions. Two patients had transient body temperature rising and relieved by themselves.Conclusion Histocompatibility antigens (HLA) half matched allogeneic NK cell transfusion therapy in HCC patients is safe and tolerable.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Cell therapy, Natural killer cells

XIE Yun-bo, ZHANG Ji-yuan, YANG Tao, JIN Lei, WANG Song-shan, LIAN Fang, QU Rui, MA Xiao-fen, SHI Ming, DUAN Hai-feng, WANG Fu-sheng.. Phase Ⅰ study of HLA-halfmatched allogeneic natural killer cells therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2017, 22(7): 581-584.

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