Effect of the pemetrexed combined with DC-CIK cells in the treatment of moderate advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To compare the clinical effects between pemetrexed combined with dentritic cells(DC), cytokine induced killer cells(CIK), and pemetrexed in the treatment of moderate advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Methods: Forty-six patients with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ NSCLC were treated with platinum-based two-drug chemotherapy for four cycles, the disease were effectively controlled, and the patients were randomly divided into the control group and combination group. The control group and combination group were treated with pemetrexed and pemetrexed combined with DC-CIK, respectively. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions between two groups were compared. Results: The disease control rates in control group and combination group were 78.3%and 87.0%, respectively, the difference of which was not statistically significant(P>0.05). The progression-free survival in combination group(6.9 months) was better than that in control group(4.7 months)(P<0.01). The bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal reaction in two groups were the main adverse reactions, the difference of which was not statistically significant(P>0.05). Fever in 3 cases were found in combination group during DC/CIK infusion. Conclusions: The maintenance treatment of NSCLC with pemetrexed combined with DC-CIK is a safe and effective method.