Clinical application of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell therapy in colorectal cancer: Current strategies and future challenges.

• CIK cell therapy has been extensively trialled in colorectal cancer. • CIK cell therapy can improve survival outcomes in CRC. • CIK cells are mostly an adjunct to standard treatment, primarily chemotherapy. • CIK cell culture and delivery protocols vary significantly and may affect outcomes. • There is a need to further investigate and standardise these protocols. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health burden and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Cytokine induced killer (CIK) cell therapy is an immunotherapy which has the potential to meet this need. Clinical trials of CIK cell therapy for the management of CRC have reported improved clinical outcomes. However, production and delivery protocols varied significantly, and many studies were reported only in Chinese language journals. Here we present the most comprehensive review of the clinical CIK cell therapy trials for CRC management to date. We accessed both English and Chinese language clinical studies, and summarise how CIK cell therapy has been implemented, from manufacturing to patient delivery. We discuss current challenges that impede wider adoption of CIK cell therapy in CRC management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]