Adverse reactions in patients with malignant tumor after treatment with cytokine-induced killer cells

Objective To study the causes and countermeasures of adverse reactions in patients with malignant tumor after treatment with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. Methods Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment measures and causes of adverse reactions in 730 patients with malignant tumor after treated with CIK cells from March 2008 to October 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The main adverse reactions after infusion of CIK cells were fever(6.85%), rash(1.64%), digestive discomfort(0.96%), arthralgia (0.41%), anaphylactoid reaction (0.14%), tumor lysis syndrome (0.14%), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome reaction (0.68%).All the side effects were not specifically treated except for hypotension, severe anaphylactoid reaction and tumor lysis syndrome.The adverse reactions were related with the homing characteristics of CIK cells and individual difference. Conclusion CIK cells therapy is a safe and effective adoptive immunotherapy for malignant tumor and its adverse reactions can be treated expectantly.