Cytokine-induced killer cell/dendritic cell combined with cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy for treating advanced gastrointestinal cancer

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of cytokine-induced killer (CIK)/dendritic cell combined with CIK (DC-CIK) cell therapy in advanced gastrointestinal cancer (GIC). Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane library, and Embase were searched to conduct a meta-analysis of clinical controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CIK/DC-CIK cell therapy in advanced GIC. The pooled risk ratios (RRs) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Results: A total of nine studies with 1113 patients were identified. The overall survival (RR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.41-2.40, P heterogeneity = 0.654, I 2 = 0%), progression-free survival (RR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.52-2.60, P heterogeneity = 0.727, I 2 = 0%), and quality of life (WMD = 16.09, 95% CI = 1.66-30.52, P heterogeneity < 0.001, I 2 = 98.8%) were significantly improved in patients who received chemotherapy combined with CIK/DC-CIK cells, and no severe adverse events were reported. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that the combination of CIK/DC-CIK immunotherapy and chemotherapy was safe and applicable for patients with advanced GIC. It is a feasible choice to prolong survival and improve quality of life.