Modified DC-CIK for Relapsed T/NK Lymphoma: Three Cases, Including 5+ Years Off Therapy

Boao Lecheng summarized a multicenter case report in Annals of Hematology (Zhang Ju, Gao Zeli and colleagues): modified DC-CIK cells loaded with tumour-stem-cell membrane microparticles for relapsed/refractory T/NK lymphoid proliferations and lymphomas. The post cites a patient off anti-tumour drugs for more than five years. These are source cases, not a prognosis. Confirm indication and access in writing.

The article states written consent and that only treatment-relevant history is shared. Before this approach, all three patients had failed one or more of multi-line chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hematopoietic stem-cell transplant.

The three cases before cell therapy

Case 1: In March 2016 an 8-year-old boy with painless bilateral cervical nodes and a left-elbow mass was diagnosed with T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma; marrow blasts 23%. Intensified chemo briefly remitted; at six months marrow relapsed and CSF showed abnormal lymphocytes (CNS involvement).

Case 2: A 44-year-old man treated first as rhinitis; 2021 endoscopic resection and nasopharyngeal biopsy diagnosed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. High-dose IMRT was followed by relapse at one year; six intensive chemo cycles yielded only PR, with severe myelosuppression and pneumonia.

Case 3: A 49-year-old man with generalized adenopathy had nodal T-follicular helper lymphoma and high-risk mutations. After failed chemo he underwent autologous transplant in April 2024; two weeks later transplant-related colitis with 1.5–2 L bloody diarrhea per day.

Modified DC-CIK — mechanism as described

Conventional DC-CIK (dendritic cells plus cytokine-induced killers) lacks tumour-specific “navigation.” Stimulated tumour stem cells can shed 50–1000 nm membrane microparticles carrying TAAs, neoantigens, and stemness markers such as CD133 and CD44.

Microparticles were fed to DCs, cross-presented on MHC I/II to activate CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, then combined with CIK. Use in the three cases followed ethics approval and consent.

Outcomes reported in the post

Case 1 received three paternal-origin cycles without fever, rash, or GVHD. Marrow blasts fell to 1%; PET-CT showed nodes without hypermetabolism. The post says he has been off anti-tumour drugs >5 years, OS 117 months, school and daily activity age-appropriate.

Case 2 received one cord-blood-origin cycle. MIP-1α, MIP-β and IL-8 fell; PET-CT lesions resolved, Deauville 2, assessed as CR, living without progression on low-dose maintenance.

Case 3 (2022, son-origin infusion) had nodes recede and marrow blasts <5% (PR). After 2024 transplant colitis, modified DC-CIK was given again; stool volume 2000→500 mL. He later died of transplant-related bowel obstruction and other factors. The source frames this as end-of-life quality, not cure.

Refs: Wang A, et al. Ann Hematol 105:221 (2026); Xu et al., Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma, 2020, 29(12). Forwarded from “Zhang Ju’s Cell World.” Case reports are not individual advice—confirm trial/special-use pathways and a written estimate before travel.

The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, approved by the State Council in February 2013, pilots franchised medical care, oncology, and health management—aiming for “three synchronizations” of technology, equipment, and drugs with international standards.