Autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy combined with cyclophosphamide in five patients with POEMS syndrome

Network Pharmacology Combined with an Experimental Validation Study to Reveal the Effect and Mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Polysaccharide against Immunomodulation

In the present study, the immuno-enhancing effect of Eucommia ulmoides leaf polysaccharide (ELP) was investigated in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). To evaluate the immune enhancement mechanism of ELP, the immunoregulation effect of ELP was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. ELP is primarily composed of arabinose (26.61%), galacturonic acid (25.1%), galactose (19.35%), rhamnose (16.13%), and a small amount of glucose (12.9%). At 1000~5000 μg·mL^-1, ELP could significantly enhance the proliferation and the phagocytosis of macrophages in vitro. Additionally, ELP could protect immune organs, reduce pathological damage, and reverse the decrease in the hematological indices. Moreover, ELP significantly increased the phagocytic index, enhanced the ear swelling response, augmented the production of inflammatory cytokines, and markedly up-regulated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA levels. Furthermore, ELP improved phosphorylated p38, ERK1/2, and JNK levels, suggesting that MAPKs might be involved in immunomodulatory effects. The results provide a theoretical foundation for exploring the immune modulation function of ELP as a functional food.

Grain-Sized Moxibustion Heightens the AntiTumor Effect of Cyclophosphamide in Hepa1-6 Bearing Mice

Objective

The side effects of chemotherapy as a treatment of liver cancer cannot be ignored. Grain-sized moxibustion, a characteristic external therapy, has been shown to reduce the toxic and side effects of chemotherapy and regulate the immune function. The purpose of this study was to explore the synergistic antitumor activity of grain-sized moxibustion combined with cyclophosphamide (CTX).

Methods

A hepatoma 1–6 (Hepa1-6)-bearing mouse model was established by injecting mice with Hepa1-6 cancer cells. CTX and grain-sized moxibustion on Dazhui (DU14), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) were used for treatment, and mouse survival status, body weight, and tumor growth, weight, and volume were measured. White blood cells (WBCs) and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs) were quantified. The spleens and livers of Hepa1-6-bearing mice were pathologically examined and scored. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and protein and mRNA expression levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in tumor tissues were measured with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) techniques.

Results

Both grain-sized moxibustion and CTX could restrain the growth of Hepa1-6 tumors, reducing both tumor volume and weight; the combined treatment had a greater effect. Grain-sized moxibustion down-regulated the expression of proliferation genes Ki67 and PCNA, weakened the proliferation ability of Hepa1-6 tumor cells, inhibited tumor growth, and enhanced the antitumor effect of CTX. In addition, grain-sized moxibustion significantly improved the signs of CTX-induced toxicity (including weight loss, leukopenia, bone marrow suppression, and hepatotoxicity), down-regulated serum AST and ALT levels, reduced spleen and liver inflammation, and improved liver and spleen indices.

Conclusion

Grain-sized moxibustion can synergize with CTX to enhance the antitumor effect of CTX and alleviate its toxic and side effects. It may be a promising adjuvant therapy to chemotherapy.

Cell-based immunotherapy with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells: From preparation and testing to clinical application

Cell-based immunotherapy holds promise in the quest for the treatment of cancer, having potential synergy with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As a novel approach for adoptive cell-based immunotherapy, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have moved from the 'bench to bedside'. CIK cells are a heterogeneous subset of ex-vitro expanded, polyclonal T-effector cells with both natural killer (NK) and T-cell properties, which present potent non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor target cells. Initial clinical studies on CIK cell therapy have provided encouraging results and revealed synergistic antitumor effects when combined with standard therapeutic procedures. At the same time, issues such as inadequate quality control and quantity of CIK cells as well as exaggerated propaganda were continuously emerging. Thus, the Ministry of Health in China stopped CIK cell therapy in May 2016, which was a major setback for the innovation of CIK cell-based immunotherapy. Thus, it is very important to modify technical criteria to develop a standardized operation procedure (SOP) and standardized system for evaluating antitumor efficacy in a safe way.