ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with autologous DC-CIK cells in treating hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) of BCLC C-stage. Methods A total of 60 cases with HCC in BCLC C-stage were randomly and equally divided into the study group (n=30) and the control group (n=30). TACE combined with autologous DC-CIK cells was employed in the patients of the study group, while only TACE was adopted in the patients of the control group. The immune function, six-month and one-year survival rates were determined, and the results were compared between the two groups. Results In the study group, the blood T lymphocyte subsets of CD3+CD8+ were significantly increased, while CD3+CD4+ were obviously decreased. When compared with the pretreatment levels, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The six-month survival rate of the study group and the control group was 67.9% and 48.1% respectively (P<0.05), and the one-year survival rate of the study group and the control group was 53.6%and 29.6%respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion For the treatment of HCC in BCLC C-stage, the therapeutic effect of TACE combined with autologous DC-CIK cells is much better than that of pure TACE. Therefore, this therapy is an effective treatment for HCC in BCLC C-stage.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the possible influence of immunosuppressive therapy,including sirolimus (SRL) and calcineurin inhibitors (CNI, tacrolimus), on level of Treg in the liver allo-graft recipients, Methods Forty-seven liver transplant recipients with stable liver function were assessed for at least 2 years, and divided into two groups: one composed of 15 patients receiving SRL,and another, of those receiving CNI (32 patients with tacrolimus). Thirty-eight age-matched healthy subjects (HS) were used as normal controls. We examined the expression of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3 in peripheral blood monouclear cells. Treg of every group was analyzed using Cell Quest software.Results SRL significantly increased the prevalence of CD4+ CD25high T cells, compared with HS and CNI group. The prevalence of CD4+ CD25high T cells of CNIs group was significantly lower than that of HS. The percentage of CD4+ CD25high T cells in the total CD4+ T cells was 1.88 % (1.56 %-2. 60 %), 1. 15 % (0. 57 %-l. 48 %) and 0. 84 % (0. 46 %-1. 45 %) in SRL, NS and CNI group,respectively (P<0. 01 or P<0. 05). Foxp3 was expressed in more than 95 % of CD4 + CD25high T cells and less than 20 % of CD4+ CD25low T cells, whereas not expressed in CD4+ CD25- T cells.Conclusion Different immunosuppressive therapy (SRL or CNI) might have different roles in tolerance induction in liver transplant recipients. Namely, SRL promoted the induction of allo-antigen tolerance, but CNI hampered the progression.