Study of DC-CIK to Treat NPC

A Randomized Controlled Study of Dendritic and Cytokine-induced Killer Cells (DC-CIK) Treatment in Patients With Staging Ⅱ-Ⅲ of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Concurrent of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the main treatment method for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, Relapse remains the major cause of treatment failure. A series of studies reported that dendritic and cytokine-induced killer cells (DC-CIK) have a broad anti-tumor spectrum. We suppose that DC-CIK will improve the prognosis of NPC. In this study, the patients with NPC will be treated with DC-CIK cells after concurrent of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of DC-CIK for NPC.

About 60 patients with staging Ⅱ-Ⅲ of NPC, after accepting concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, will be randomly divided into group A (receive DC-CIK treatment) or group B (just regularly follow up), and the randomize ratio will be 1:1. Patients in group A will receive 2-3 cycles of DC-CIK cells treatment (every 4 weeks). Patients in group B will have no anti-tumor therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with staging Ⅱ-Ⅲ of NPC;
2. Patients who had completed concurrent of radiotherapy and chemotherapy;
3. Patients who have a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks;
4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was 0-1;
5. The bone marrow functioned normally (WBC > 4.0×109/L, Hb > 120 g/L, PLT > 100×109/L);
6. The ECG results were normal, and the liver and kidney were functional.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who had distant metastases by imaging studies;
2. Patients with uncontrolled infection; underlying disease that was severe or life-threatening;
3. Patients who were pregnant or lactating;
4. ECOG perform status ≥ 2;
5. Patients who are suffering from auto immune diseases or patients who need to accept glucocorticoid treatment.