Adoptive immunotherapy for gastric cancer using zoledronate-activated killer cells: A prospective observational study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Gastrointestinal Cancer Research

Background:

• Adoptive immunotherapy (AIT) using autologous zoledronate-activated killer (ZAK) cells is an emerging cancer treatment.
• Gastric cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of AIT with ZAK cells combined with chemotherapy in patients with incurable gastric cancer.
• To identify potential predictive biomarkers for treatment response.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 50 patients with incurable gastric cancer treated with intravenous ZAK cell AIT every 3-4 weeks alongside physician-chosen chemotherapy.
• Assessment of overall survival (OS), objective response, disease control rate, adverse events, and quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Biologic Response Modifier (FACT-BRM) scale.
• Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to identify significant survival predictors.

Main Results:

• The median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 7.5 months, with those receiving 5+ treatment rounds achieving 13.5 months.
• First-line chemotherapy with ZAK cell AIT resulted in a median OS of 27.3 months, compared to 13.3 months for later lines.
• The disease control rate was 67.9%, with no severe adverse events reported. Baseline Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) was identified as a significant independent survival predictor.

Conclusions:

• ZAK cell AIT in combination with chemotherapy appears to be a safe and feasible treatment option for advanced gastric cancer.
• The study suggests potential improvements in quality of life and highlights baseline GPS as a potential biomarker for predicting outcomes in chemo-immunotherapy.