Cytokine-induced killer cell/dendritic cell combined with cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy for treating advanced gastrointestinal cancer

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of cytokine-induced killer (CIK)/dendritic cell combined with CIK (DC–CIK) cell therapy in advanced gastrointestinal cancer (GIC). METHODS: The PubMed, Cochrane library, and Embase were searched to conduct a meta-analysis of clinical controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CIK/DC–CIK cell therapy in advanced GIC. The pooled risk ratios (RRs) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of nine studies with 1113 patients were identified. The overall survival (RR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.41–2.40, P(heterogeneity) = 0.654, I(2) = 0%), progression-free survival (RR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.52–2.60, P(heterogeneity) = 0.727, I(2) = 0%), and quality of life (WMD = 16.09, 95% CI = 1.66–30.52, P(heterogeneity) < 0.001, I(2) = 98.8%) were significantly improved in patients who received chemotherapy combined with CIK/DC–CIK cells, and no severe adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggested that the combination of CIK/DC–CIK immunotherapy and chemotherapy was safe and applicable for patients with advanced GIC. It is a feasible choice to prolong survival and improve quality of life.