Abstract： Objective To study the efficacy and safety of cytokine-induced killer cells(CIK cells) combined with chemotherapy in treating advanced retinoblastoma(RB). Methods Thirty child patients with RB at stage D were enrolled for the study. 15 patients received chemotherapy (control group) while the rest were treated with CIK cells infusion combined with chemotherapy (study group), from whom 10-35 ml autologous peripheral blood was taken before chemotherapy to culture CIK cells in vitro for about 10 days. CIK cells were reinfused every other day three times. The vital signs in the process of cell reinfusion were observed. Changes of peripheral blood indexes, biochemical indexes, immunity indexes, life quality and side effects were also monitored four weeks after the reinfusion. Results (1) CIK cells reinfusion was safe. 15 patients received a total of 46 cycles of CIK cells therapy. Vital signs of all the children were stable. During the 46 courses (138 times) of CIK cells reinfusion, only three cases of patients had a fever during the first 24 hours. No patients had any allergic reactions. With regard to liver and kidney functions and cardiac enzymes, no obvious difference was observed before and after the reinfusion. (2) During the follow-up period, the efficiency and disease control rate in the study group (73.3%, 93.3%) seemed to be higher than that in the control group (67.7%, 80%),but not significantly different. There was improvement in physical strength, appetite and immunity indexes（P＜0.05）in the study group. The change in the ratio of CD4+CD25+ T cells was significant. Conclusions The autologous CIK cell therapy is safe，which improves clinical symptoms significantly in patients with RB.
2012, Vol. 23 
