First-in-Human Study of IL15-Activated Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells After Allogeneic HCT Shows Durable Remission and Serotherapy-Associated Immune Reconstitution in Leukemia - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #cytokine-induced killer cells
- #leukemia immunotherapy
- #hematopoietic cell transplantation
- The first-in-human study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of donor-derived IL15-activated cytokine-induced killer cells (IL15-CIK) in high-risk leukemia patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).
- The phase I/II trial included 53 adult and pediatric patients who received IL15-CIK monotherapy post-transplant, with treatment categorized as consolidation, preemptive, or salvage, and most infusions following adaptable dose-escalation regimens.
- Adverse events were mainly mild; acute graft-versus-host disease occurred but no extensive chronic GVHD or treatment-related mortality was observed. Disease clearance peaked at 74% in preemptive settings, with five-year overall survival highest (71%) in consolidation.
- Multivariable analysis linked lower relapse rates with Campath serotherapy, superior overall survival in myeloid malignancies, and reduced efficacy in advanced disease, highlighting the impact of disease burden and serotherapy on outcomes.
- IL15-CIK therapy is feasible and safe, showing promising relapse-preventive activity, with outcomes dependent on disease burden at treatment initiation, supporting optimized patient selection for post-transplant immunotherapy.