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A report of three patients treated with immunocell therapy with imatinib mesylate

Toru Kaneko1, Shigenori Goto, Yoshiaki Kushima

  • 1Shin-yokohama Medical Clinic, Usui building 3F, 2-5-14 Shin-yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan. kaneko@j-immunother.com

Anticancer Research
|November 2, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Combining immunocell therapy with molecularly-targeted therapy, such as imatinib mesylate, shows promising results for refractory cancers. This combination approach demonstrated significant efficacy and minimal side-effects in three patient cases.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Molecularly-Targeted Therapy

Background:

  • Limited efficacy of current immunocell therapy for refractory cancers necessitates novel treatment strategies.
  • Molecularly-targeted therapy offers a promising approach by directly inhibiting neoplasm cell growth with minimal myelosuppression.

Observation:

  • Three patients with refractory cancers (Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia and GIST) were treated with a combination of immunocell therapy and imatinib mesylate.
  • One patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia achieved over 24 months of relapse-free survival.
  • One patient with GIST experienced a partial response lasting over 21 months, and another had stable disease for over 25 months.

Findings:

  • The combination of immunocell therapy and imatinib mesylate demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in refractory cancer patients.
  • Observed outcomes included prolonged relapse-free survival and sustained disease stabilization or partial response.

Implications:

  • Immunocell therapy combined with molecularly-targeted therapy presents a potent and well-tolerated treatment option for refractory cancers.
  • This combination strategy warrants further investigation in clinical trials to establish its broader applicability and optimize treatment protocols.

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