Does CIK/DC-CIK cell therapy improve survival rates for gastric cancer?
CIK (cytokine-induced killer) and DC-CIK (dendritic cell-cytokine-induced killer) cell therapy are types of immunotherapy that use a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer. For gastric cancer, research shows that adding CIK/DC-CIK therapy to standard chemotherapy can improve survival rates. A 2024 meta-analysis found that the combination therapy significantly increased overall survival and disease-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone 6. This benefit has been confirmed in multiple studies, though the evidence is strongest for certain patient groups.
What the research says
A 2024 meta-analysis of 22 trials involving 2,149 patients found that CIK/DC-CIK therapy combined with chemotherapy improved overall survival (OS) by 40% (hazard ratio 0.60) and disease-free survival (DFS) by 37% (hazard ratio 0.63) compared to chemotherapy alone 6. These results were statistically significant, meaning they are unlikely to be due to chance. A 2016 meta-analysis of 17 trials with 1,735 patients also reported significant improvements in OS, DFS, overall response rate, and quality of life with the combination therapy 8.
A randomized phase II study from 2016 specifically looked at cord blood-derived DC-CIK plus chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer. It found a significant increase in disease-free survival, but the improvement in overall survival did not reach statistical significance 9. A 2019 prospective study of 63 patients with advanced gastric cancer showed that DC-CIK combined with S-1 plus cisplatin chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival, with a disease control rate of 76.9% compared to 33.3% with chemotherapy alone 10.
Importantly, the studies report that CIK/DC-CIK therapy is generally well-tolerated with no serious side effects 910. The therapy appears to work by boosting the immune system, increasing the number and activity of cancer-fighting immune cells 68. However, a 2025 review notes that immunotherapy for gastric cancer still faces challenges like tumor heterogeneity and resistance, and more research is needed to identify which patients benefit most 7.
What to ask your doctor
- Could CIK/DC-CIK cell therapy be an option for my type and stage of gastric cancer?
- What would the treatment schedule look like, and how is it given?
- What are the possible side effects of combining CIK/DC-CIK with chemotherapy?
- Are there any clinical trials or centers near me that offer this therapy?
- How does this therapy compare to other immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors for my situation?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Oncology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.