Original Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2011; 17(25): 3002-3011
Published online Jul 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i25.3002
Cisplatin pretreatment enhances anti-tumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells
Xiang Huang, Yi-Tian Chen, Hai-Zhu Song, Gui-Chun Huang, Long-Bang Chen
Xiang Huang, Yi-Tian Chen, Hai-Zhu Song, Gui-Chun Huang, Long-Bang Chen, Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Jinling Hospital, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Huang X and Chen LB designed the research; Huang X, Chen YT, Song HZ and Huang GC performed the research; Huang X wrote the paper.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30872979
Correspondence to: Long-Bang Chen, Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Jinling Hospital, 305 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China. chenlongbang@yeah.net
Telephone: +86-25-80860123 Fax: +86-25-80860123
Received: October 8, 2010
Revised: December 23, 2010
Accepted: December 30, 2010
Published online: July 7, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To investigate whether cisplatin (DDP) enhances the anti-tumor activity of cytokine- induced killer (CIK) cells in a murine colon adenocarcinoma model.

METHODS: Tumor size and weight served as indicators of therapeutic response. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe intratumoral lymphocyte infiltration and tumor microvessel density. Changes in the percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells within the spleens of tumor-bearing mice preconditioned with DDP were monitored using flow cytometry.

RESULTS: A marked T cell-dependent, synergistic anti-tumor effect of the combined therapy was observed (1968 ± 491 mm3 vs 3872 ± 216 mm3; P = 0.003). Preconditioning chemotherapy with DDP augmented the infiltration of CD3+ T lymphocytes into the tumor mass and reduced the percentage of both intratumoral and splenic Treg cells.

CONCLUSION: Preconditioning with DDP markedly enhances the efficacy of adoptively transferred CIK cells, providing a potential clinical modality for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Preconditioning chemotherapy; Cytokine-induced killer cells; Regulatory T cells; Immunomodulation