ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of autologous dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells (DC/CIK) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of moderate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Sixty patients with moderste and advanced HCC were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 32), in which the treatment of DC/CIK combined with TACE was used, and the control group (n=28), in which TACE treatment was used only. The parameters of tumor size , serum alpha-fetoprotein , survival rate , the median survival time and quality of life , were detected in patients of the two groups before and after corresponding therapy . Results ( 1 ) After receiving corresponding treatments, the efficient rates of DC/CIK combined with TACE and TACE only were 87.50% and 64.29%, respectively, with significant difference;(2) The level of serum AFP decreased in the two groups after corresponding treatment, with no significant difference; (3) The 6-month survival rate was 96.88%and 92.85%, and the 1-year survival rate was 84.38%and 64.29%, the 2-year survival rate was 65.63%and 42.86%in the experimental group and in the control group, respectively. And the median survival time was 21 months and 17 months in the experimental group and the control group, respectively, with no significant difference; (4) The quality of life was improved significantly in the DC/CIK combined with TACE group after treatment. Conclusions Administration of DC and CIK combined with TACE can prolong the survival time, increase the survival rate and especially improve the life quality of HCC patients. It is a promising approach for the treatment of patients with moderate and advanced HCC.