Abstract: Objective To study the therapeutic safety and effects of autologous RetroNectin activated CIK cell immunotherapy for patients with advanced colon carcinoma. Methods CIK cells were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and incubated in the presence of IFN-γ followed by Retronectin, mouse antihuman CD3 monoclonal antibody and IL-2. Then, CIK cells were transfused intravenously every week for at least 4 times. Immunophenotypic characteristics of CIK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. IFN-γ, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-2, IL-10 and IL-4 concentrations in serum were determined, using the BDTM human Cytometric Bead Array kits (CBA). Results The median number of transferred cells per patient was 23.9×109/L(20.6×109~27.2×109), and the toxicity pro?le was favourable. After CIK cells infusion, the absolute median count of lymphocytes, CD3+, CD8+ and CD3+CD56+ cells signi?cantly increased in patient’s peripheral blood. One patients had partial response (PR) and four patients had stabilization of disease(SD). The downtrend of the CEA level was observed in the PR and two SD patients. Responding patients, after treatment, showed in the serum an increased production of IFN-γ (6.9 vs. 53.2 pg/ml) and TNF-α (3.2 vs. 24.6 pg/ml) that is statistically signi?cant with a p-value of 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. No signi?cant differences were seen in non-responders and in the expression of other cytokines. Conclusion Adoptive immunotherapy with Retronectin induced CIK cells is a safe therapy with some suggestion of ef?cacy that signi?cantly enhances immune functions increasing absolute numbers of effector cells without side effects. This study might provide valuable information on the conventional treatment strategy of malignancies.

Key words: colon carcinoma, CIK, immune function