Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells

Natural killer-like T lymphocytes termed cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are able to eradicate lymphomas and other malignancies. CIK cells are generated by incubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, IL-2, IL-1 and interferon - gamma. In particular, cells transfected with cytokine genes possess an improved proliferation rate and a higher cytotoxic activity as compared to regular CIK cells.