Objective   To analyze and compare the curative effect-related parameters of dendritic cell cytokine-induced killer cells (DC - CIK) biotherapy combined with chemotherapy in treating patients with gastrointestinal tumors. The safety and therapeutic effectiveness of DC-CIK were evaluated.

  Methods   Fifty-eight patients with gastroenteric tumor admitted to the Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital from October 2008 to October 2011 were treated with the regimen of DC-CIK-based immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Another 68 patients with advanced gastrointestinal tumor treated with chemotherapy alone during the same period were taken as controls. The immune function, therapeutic effect, quality of life, and side effects were compared between the two groups. The safety and therapeutic effects of DC-CIK therapy were observed.

  Results   In the group of DC-CIK and chemotherapy, the ratios of CD3⁺, CD8⁺, and NKT cells were significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The level of Th1 cytokines (IFN - r, IL - 2, TNF - a) was significantly increased compared with Th1 / Th2 cytokines (P < 0.05). For short-term curative effect, disease control rate was higher in the group of DC-CIK combined with chemotherapy than in the control group (75.9 % vs. 58.8 %, P < 0.05). Life quality was more improved in the group of DC-CIK combined with chemotherapy compared with controls.

  Conclusion   The combined regimen of DC-CIK with chemotherapy in treating gastroenteric tumor patients is safe and effective and can improve the remission rate and the quality of life.