case_images: PMC11129568_01
case_images: Dot plots from one representative experiment depicting NK cell (CD3-CD56+) purity.
case_images: 10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig1.jpg
case_images: PMC11129568_01_10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig1.jpg
case_images: fig1-2050313X241254743
case_images: Schematic diagram of clinical history, therapy, and visits of a patient diagnosed with confirmed gastric cancer (stage IV, cT 4, cN 0, cM 1) on January 3, 2020 (V0). After four courses of combining chemotherapy with NK cell infusion (V1), computed tomography (CT) scan showed that the inflammation was slightly better than before, and the initial treatment was effective. After 2 years of combination therapy (February/2020-March/2022), no tumor progression was seen on the CT scan. Notably, at the most recent follow-up (V7), the CT scan showed that the pancreatic tail metastasis was gradually shrinking or even disappearing, and the value of tumor marker alpha fetoprotein has also dropped to the standard range.
case_images: 10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig2.jpg
case_images: PMC11129568_01_10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig2.jpg
case_images: fig2-2050313X241254743
case_images: Then, he underwent surgery on January 11, 2020 (Figure 2, V0). His detailed first course of treatment included oxaliplatin 200 mg IV + tegafur 40 mg orally twice/day (oral until 14 days, stop for 1 week) + NK cell infusion (2 x 109 cells/course) (Figure 2). The patient continued with the eighth course of combination therapy from July 14, 2020 (Figure 2, V2) and the treatment remained unchanged. After the end of this course of treatment, the patient stopped chemotherapy and continued with the NK cell infusion (2 x 109 cells/time, 5 times/year) from January 12, 2021 to September 23, 2022 (Figure 2, V4-V7).
case_images: (a) Low density shadow is visible in the body of the pancreas by computed tomography (CT) scan before surgery (January 4, 2020); (b) Low density shadow in the body of the pancreas has no significant changes compared to before by CT scan after surgery (January 17, 2020); (c) Low density shadow in the body of the pancreas has no significant changes compared to before by CT scan after three courses of treatment (November 17, 2020); (d) Low density shadow in the body of the pancreas is unclear by CT scan at the last follow-up visit (February 6, 2023).
case_images: 10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig3.jpg
case_images: PMC11129568_01_10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig3.jpg
case_images: fig3-2050313X241254743
case_images: Another tumor with a diameter of 3 cm invaded the tail of the pancreas, which is considered as a metastatic cancer and failed to be removed (Figure 3(a) and (b)). After a period of interruption, during the patient's regular follow-up, the patient was in a stable condition and no significant changes in CT were observed (Figure 3(c)); however, the tumor marker alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is still very high (29.63 microg/ml) (Table 1 and Figure 4), so another cycle of single tegafur (40 mg orally twice/day, oral until 14 days, stop for 1 week) treatment was given. After the end of this course of treatment, the patient stopped chemotherapy and continued with the NK cell infusion (2 x 109 cells/time, 5 times/year) from January 12, 2021 to September 23, 2022 (Figure 2, V4-V7). At his most recent check, the AFP had returned to normal value (3.84 microg/ml) with poor display of low-density shadows in the body of the pancreas (Table 1, Figure 3(d) and Figure 4).
case_images: A line chart illustrating the Table 1 biomarkers change.
case_images: 10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig4.jpg
case_images: PMC11129568_01_10.1177_2050313X241254743-fig4.jpg
case_images: fig4-2050313X241254743
case_images: After a period of interruption, during the patient's regular follow-up, the patient was in a stable condition and no significant changes in CT were observed (Figure 3(c)); however, the tumor marker alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is still very high (29.63 microg/ml) (Table 1 and Figure 4), so another cycle of single tegafur (40 mg orally twice/day, oral until 14 days, stop for 1 week) treatment was given. After the end of this course of treatment, the patient stopped chemotherapy and continued with the NK cell infusion (2 x 109 cells/time, 5 times/year) from January 12, 2021 to September 23, 2022 (Figure 2, V4-V7). At his most recent check, the AFP had returned to normal value (3.84 microg/ml) with poor display of low-density shadows in the body of the pancreas (Table 1, Figure 3(d) and Figure 4).