Adverse reactions and their management in the treatment of malignant tumors using cytokine-induced killer cells.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the causes and the corresponding management of adverse reactions during the treatment of malignant tumors using cytokine-induced killer cells. METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2012, 441 patients received a total of 1,393 autologous cytokine-induced killer cell transfusion cycles in our department. The adverse reactions after the procedures were observed (assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity version 2.0), and targeted care and health education were delivered by nurses. RESULTS: All treatment sessions were successfully completed, and the following adverse reactions were found: grade 1/3 fever in 1.36% (19/1,393) patients; grade 2/3 fever in 0.86% (12/1,393) patients; grade 2/3 chills in 0.65% (9/1,393) patients; and grade 1/3 dizziness in 0.29% (4/1,393) patients. CONCLUSIONS: After timely intervention of the adverse reactions, all patients were treated successfully. The best timing of the CIK cell therapy for cancer patients is when the tumor burden, or the number of tumor cells, reaches the minimal level after the end of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

[A study of the effect of interstitial (125)I seed implantation on ward nurses' hemogram and relevant protection investigations].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the blood picture changes of the ward nurses who nurse the patients received (125)I seeds implantation. METHODS: 32 ward nurses who nurse the patients for (125)I seeds implantation were involved in the experimental group, the control group included 32 ward nurses from the medical oncology never exposed to (125)I seeds. The WBC count, hemoglobin concentration and platelet counts from the two groups were analyzed statistically, respectively. 30 patients received (125)I seeds implantation were selected randomly and γ-ray dose from the unshielded group and lead rubber cloth covering group was detected at a distance of 0, 15, 30, 50, 100 cm from patient body surface and at different angles. RESULTS: No significant statistical difference was found between the two groups of WBC count, hemoglobin concentration and platelet count (7.1 ± 1.7 vs 6.8 ± 2.0, 132 ± 11 vs 136 ± 11, 236 ± 57 vs 242 ± 61) . The measured radiation dose was close to the natural background dose (10.2-10.8 µSv/h) at a distance of 50 cm from the body surface [ (12.7 ± 4.3) µSv/h] and the same as after 0.125 mm lead equivalent (Pb) rubber cloth shield protection[ (11.2 ± 3.1) µSv/h]. CONCLUSION: Interstitial (125)I seed implantation is safe on the blood picture of the ward nurses after taking appropriate protective measures.