LAK cell therapy can be combined with other treatments, such as surgery, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy to improve overall efficacy.
Characteristics of LAK Cells
Origin: LAK cells are derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) that are activated by lymphokines, typically interleukin-2 (IL-2).
Function: They have the ability to recognize and kill tumor cells without prior sensitization, making them a valuable component of the immune response.
Mechanism of Action: LAK cells can induce apoptosis in target cells through various mechanisms, including the release of cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes.
Applications in Cancer Therapy
Immunotherapy: LAK cells have been studied for their potential use in immunotherapy for cancer. By expanding these cells in the lab and infusing them back into patients, researchers aim to enhance the body’s ability to combat cancer.
Limitations: LAK therapy should not be use in conjunction with chemotherapy, as the toxic nature of chemotherapy can harm the immune cells.
We suggest patient complete their chemotherapy cycle and rest for at least 2 weeks before attempting to extract and expand the immune cells for LAK therapy.
Side Effects: As the immune cells are autologous (from patients own body), there are hardly any side effects. The only one that may occur is mild fever.
