A clinical study of HBsAg-activated dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells during the treatment for chronic hepatitis B

Scand J Immunol. 2013 Oct;78(4):387-93. doi: 10.1111/sji.12097.

Abstract

We aim to study the therapeutic effects of HBsAg-activated DCs and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells as adoptive immunotherapy in patients with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB). Autologous HBsAg-activated DC-CIK cells were infused into patients with CHB to evaluate their effect on HBV-DNA, HBsAg, ALT, etc. The viral load in the treatment group decreased significantly (P < 0.001), while that in the control group did not decrease (P > 0.05). Twenty-one patients (63.6% efficiency) in the treatment group had a viral response (≥2 log decrease in viral load), while four patients (14.8% efficiency) from the control group had a viral response. There were significant differences in the viral responses of the two groups (the control group 63.6% versus the control group 14.8%, P < 0.001). We concluded that the immunity was enhanced after HBsAg activation in DCs and CIK cells. Reinfusion of autologous HBsAg-activated DC-CIK cells inhibited HBV proliferation in 21 of 33 (63.6%) patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adoptive Transfer / methods
  • Adult
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells / immunology*
  • Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells / transplantation
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / transplantation
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / therapy
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load / immunology
  • Virus Replication / immunology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens