The immune system acts as an important defensive barrier that constantly monitors and protects the body from external foreign substances, while also detecting internal abnormalities such as damaged cells, tumors, and cancer cells in order to maintain overall health and keep the body strong. However, as we age, together with factors encountered in daily life such as accumulated stress, insufficient rest, pollution, exposure to various chemicals, and certain medical conditions, the immune system may become weakened. This can increase the risk of infections, cause the body to recover more slowly, and lead to more severe symptoms of illness.
For this reason, therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring the function of the immune system have received increasing attention, particularly CIK Cell Therapy, which involves collecting a group of white blood cells from the patient and culturing them to increase both the quantity and effectiveness of the cells before returning them to the body to help safely support the natural immune system.
What is CIK Cell Therapy? How does it work? Who is it suitable for? What should be known before deciding to undergo CIK Cell Therapy? LINNA Clinic is ready to answer all these questions in this article.
Table of Contents
What Is CIK Cell Therapy?
CIK Cell Therapy is a form of treatment that uses the body’s own immune cells. It involves collecting the patient’s mononuclear white blood cells (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: PBMC), which serve as the precursor for producing CIK Cells (Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells). These cells are stimulated and cultured in a laboratory to increase their number and enhance their functional potential using specific activating agents, including Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Anti-CD3 antibody, and Interleukin-2 (IL-2). The process of generating new, fully functional cells generally takes about 14–21 days. After that, the prepared CIK Cells are infused back into the body through intravenous administration.
What Are CIK Cells and How Do They Work?
CIK Cells (Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells) are a group of immune system cells derived from the patient’s PBMC white blood cells. These cells are cultured and stimulated in a laboratory to increase their number and enhance their functional capacity, resulting in CIK Cells that possess characteristics of both Natural Killer cells (NK Cells) and T Cells. This combination improves their ability to detect and respond to abnormal cells within the body.
The mechanism of action of CIK Cells combines the capabilities of both immune systems. Their main function is to monitor and detect abnormal cells such as damaged cells, infected cells, and cancer cells. When a target is identified, CIK Cells bind directly to the abnormal cells and release key substances such as Perforin and Granzyme to destroy them immediately without requiring prior recognition or identification by the immune system. At the same time, they help coordinate immune responses through the release of cytokines such as Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), and Interleukin-4 (IL-4), which stimulate the activity of other immune cells and help support the overall balance of the body’s immune system.
What Does CIK Cell Therapy Help With?
- It increases the number and efficiency of immune cells that can rapidly and accurately detect and destroy abnormal cells without requiring prior recognition, through the combined action of two immune systems: NK Cells and T Cells. This helps control disease severity and reduce the chance of recurrence.
- It helps control cancer because CIK Cells can directly target mutated or cancerous cells.
- It helps stimulate the function of other immune cells and reduce inflammation in the body through the release of cytokines with anti-inflammatory properties.
- It helps maintain the balance and effectiveness of the immune system, preventing immune dysfunction.
- It helps support the body’s recovery and reduce immune fatigue.
Who Is CIK Cell Therapy Suitable For?
- Individuals with a family history related to certain chronic diseases who are seeking approaches to help stimulate the body’s immune system.
- Individuals with certain types of cancer or those who are in the recovery phase after treatment.
- Individuals experiencing physical fatigue or weakened immunity due to increasing age, stress, or certain lifestyle factors.
However, patients should clearly understand that CIK Cell Therapy is only a therapeutic process intended to support the function of the immune system under the discretion of a physician. The results may vary from person to person depending on age, health condition, stage of disease, and self-care practices. CIK Cell Therapy cannot replace standard medical treatments.
Who Is Not Suitable for CIK Cell Therapy?
- Individuals with acute infections or symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or phlegm should wait until their body returns to normal before starting the therapy process.
- Individuals with certain severe immune system disorders, such as autoimmune diseases.
- Individuals with underlying diseases that are not yet well controlled, such as severe heart failure or kidney disease.
- Cancer patients who are currently receiving high-dose chemotherapy or have low blood cell counts.
- Individuals currently taking immunosuppressive medications.
- Individuals with certain severe blood disorders or abnormal bleeding conditions.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Is CIK Cell Therapy Safe?
CIK Cell Therapy is one form of therapy that uses the patient’s own white blood cells, which are cultured in a standardized laboratory environment. Based on case studies, the resulting CIK Cells were found to be free from contamination by toxins, bacteria, or fungi. The risk of allergic reactions or cell rejection is low, making it a process that is considered safe and not harmful to the body.
However, CIK Cell Therapy must be performed under the supervision of experienced physicians and carried out in medical facilities or clinics with strict quality control.
Possible Side Effects After CIK Cell Therapy
After undergoing CIK Cell Therapy, some individuals may experience chills, low-grade fever, or mild fatigue. These symptoms usually occur as a response of the body’s immune system and generally improve within 1–3 days after the procedure. However, if any abnormal symptoms occur or the symptoms do not improve, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
How Is CIK Cell Therapy Different from NK Cell Therapy?
CIK Cell Therapy and NK Cell Therapy are both forms of immune cell therapy. However, they differ in the type of cells used and their mechanisms of action. NK Cell Therapy uses Natural Killer (NK) cells, which are white blood cells that belong to the innate immune system. These cells are cultured and stimulated outside the body before being returned to the body to increase the number of NK cells in the system, enhancing the ability to rapidly detect and destroy target cells without requiring specific antigen recognition.
In contrast, CIK Cell Therapy uses PBMC white blood cells that are cultured and stimulated with certain substances to develop into CIK Cells. These cells have combined characteristics of NK cells and T cells, which enhances their ability to detect and destroy abnormal cells through multiple mechanisms, both non-antigen-specific and antigen-specific through the mechanism of T cells. However, the appropriate therapeutic approach should be considered together with an experienced physician, depending on the individual’s physical condition and treatment goals.
How Is CIK Cell Therapy Different from Stem Cell Therapy?
CIK Cell Therapy primarily focuses on enhancing the function of the immune system by collecting the patient’s PBMC white blood cells and culturing and stimulating them with certain substances in a laboratory to develop into CIK Cells. These cells operate through two mechanisms (NK Cell and T Cell), functioning to detect and eliminate abnormal cells such as damaged cells, infected cells, and cancer cells from the body.
In contrast, Stem Cell Therapy focuses on repairing and restoring damaged or deteriorated cells so they can function normally again. This therapy uses stem cells obtained from various sources such as the umbilical cord, adipose tissue, blood, bone marrow, and teeth. These cells undergo separation and cultivation before being injected back into the body through intravenous infusion. Stem cells have the ability to divide and develop into specialized cells such as bone cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, and tissues, as well as the ability to release biomolecules that help reduce inflammation and slow down bodily degeneration.
CIK Cell Therapy Procedure
- Consult with a physician for a detailed health assessment. The physician will perform blood tests and additional health evaluations as appropriate for each individual case.
- A blood sample is collected from the patient.
- The collected blood is processed to isolate PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells), which are the white blood cells used as the starting material for producing CIK Cells.
- The PBMC cells are cultured and enhanced with stimulatory agents in a laboratory environment. This process typically takes about 14–21 days to obtain CIK Cells with sufficient quantity and functional potential.
- The prepared CIK Cells are then infused back into the patient’s body through intravenous administration at an appropriate dose and infusion rate.
- Observation is performed after the therapy, after which the patient can return home without the need to stay for recovery at the clinic.
The process of CIK Cell Therapy may take several weeks. Patients should prepare their schedule accordingly and attend physician appointments as scheduled without unnecessary postponement.
Preparation Before Therapy
- Consult a physician for health assessment, blood tests, and physical examination as recommended. Patients should inform the physician in detail about any underlying medical conditions, medications, or dietary supplements they are currently taking to allow proper risk evaluation before the procedure.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least 3–7 days before the procedure.
- Discontinue chemotherapy drugs, immunosuppressive medications, and certain antibiotics as instructed by the physician.
- Get adequate rest, at least 7–8 hours of sleep, and avoid activities that may cause physical fatigue, especially before the blood collection day.
- Drink 1.5–2 liters of clean water.
- Maintain the body in a normal condition without infections or inflammation, such as fever, cough, diarrhea, or infected wounds. Women who are menstruating should inform the physician so that the timing of blood cell collection can be evaluated and postponed if necessary.
Self-Care After CIK Cell Therapy
- Get adequate rest to allow the body to fully recover.
- Drink at least 1.5–2 liters of clean water per day.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least 3–7 days after the procedure, and maintain a balanced diet with foods from all five food groups regularly.
- Avoid strenuous activities or activities that may cause physical fatigue during the first 1–2 days.
- Attend follow-up appointments with the physician as scheduled after the therapy.
- If any abnormal symptoms occur, such as fever, chills, or unusual fatigue, a physician should be consulted immediately.
Summary
CIK Cell Therapy is one approach to health care and immune support from within by using CIK Cells derived from the patient’s PBMC white blood cells. These cells are cultured to increase their number and effectiveness before being infused back into the body through intravenous administration to support the natural immune system. This approach is suitable for individuals seeking holistic health care, those with chronic diseases, cancer patients, and individuals experiencing weakened immunity.
However, CIK Cell Therapy is not a treatment for disease and cannot replace standard medical treatment. The decision to undergo this therapy should be based on a thorough health assessment and the discretion of an experienced physician. Results may vary among individuals depending on age, stage of disease, physical condition, and personal self-care.
If you are looking for a new approach to support and restore your health from within, you may contact LINNA Clinic to plan personalized health care. Every step of the process is supervised by the clinic’s physicians, who are ready to answer questions and provide complete information before you make a decision. Please contact 063-609-8888, WhatsApp +66 919799554, or LINE: @linnaclinic.
