BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of RetroNectin-activated cytokine-induced killer cell (R-CIK) therapy following conventional therapies in patients with metastatic brain tumors. METHODS: This study included 20 patients with metastatic brain tumors. Patients received R-CIK therapy following conventional therapies (including chemotherapy and target therapy). Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and prognostic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 4 breast cancer patients in our cohort, 2 remained alive and 2 died. Of the 14 non-small cell lung cancer (all adenocarcinoma) patients, 3 had a partial response, 8 had stable disease, and 3 had progressive disease after receiving R-CIKs. The overall response rate was 21.4% (3/14), and the disease control rate was 78.6% (11/14). The median PFS and OS were 7.7 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 3-16.5 months) and 12.6 months (95% CI 6-21 months), respectively. CONCLUSION: R-CIKs combined with conventional therapies could improve the prognosis of metastatic brain tumor patients, especially of those with adenocarcinoma of the lung.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of RetroNectin-activated cytokine-induced killer cell (R-CIK) therapy following conventional therapies in patients with metastatic brain tumors. METHODS: This study included 20 patients with metastatic brain tumors. Patients received R-CIK therapy following conventional therapies (including chemotherapy and target therapy). Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and prognostic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 4 breast cancerpatients in our cohort, 2 remained alive and 2 died. Of the 14 non-small cell lung cancer (all adenocarcinoma) patients, 3 had a partial response, 8 had stable disease, and 3 had progressive disease after receiving R-CIKs. The overall response rate was 21.4% (3/14), and the disease control rate was 78.6% (11/14). The median PFS and OS were 7.7 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 3-16.5 months) and 12.6 months (95% CI 6-21 months), respectively. CONCLUSION: R-CIKs combined with conventional therapies could improve the prognosis of metastatic brain tumorpatients, especially of those with adenocarcinoma of the lung.