ALL STEM CELLS

Abstract. Immune cell‑based therapies using natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells are under constant scrutiny, with the aim to design an effective and reduced‑toxicity therapy, which will benefit patients via improved quality of life and improved prognosis. Four patients with stage IV colon cancer were administered 1, 3, 5 and 6 effector cell intravenous infusions, respectively. Peripheral blood was collected from the patients and the ex vivo activation and expansion of NK and T cells was performed in Good Manufacturing Practice‑certified clean rooms for ~12‑15 days. Immunophenotypic analysis of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and expanded NK and T cells was conducted using flow cytometry and the patients were followed up. On average, 4.8x107 initial PBMCs and 2.7x109 total expanded cells were obtained. The intravenous infusions of the expanded cells were not accompanied by adverse reactions. Improved prognosis, reflected by a considerable decrease in the cancer markers, accompanied by an improved quality of life in the patients were observed. In conclusion, potential strategies are currently under development for the large‑scale production of effectors cells; therefore, autologous immune enhancement therapy (AIET) may be considered as a viable approach to cancer treatment.

In conclusion, our results are encouraging, although they require further validation regarding the safety of the expanded population of NK cells and T lymphocytes for advanced colon cancer patients. With the combined efficiency of chemotherapy and immediate referrals it may be feasible to generate an optimal method for the management of the increased number of colon cancer patients, as this type of cancer is considered to be a major cause of mortality in Malaysia. The current technology has enabled maximization of the lower available cell population to a considerable number that may prove beneficial to cancer patients as an adjuvant/alternative therapeutic option.