1. Department of Gastroenterology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, China; 2. Department of Interventional Medicine & Zhuhai Interventional Medical Centre, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong, China; 3. Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China; 4. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
Objective: To investigate the safety of allogeneic Vγ9Vδ2 T cell reinfusion therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the changes in the immune function of patients after treatment. Methods: Four advanced HCC patients admitted into Zhuhai People’ s Hospital between October, 2021 and October, 2022 were selected for the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from healthy donors and Vγ9Vδ2 T cells were obtained after stimulation and amplification of PBMC. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells which passed quality control were reinfused. The dose of reinfused cells was 5×108 cells per time, once every two weeks, and reinfusions were carried out for more than 9 times. After treatments, the proportions of subgroup cells (αβT cells, B cells, NK cells and γδT cells) were detected. Biochemical markers of liver, kidney and heart function, such as transaminase, creatinine and creatine kinase were detected. Changes in the number of three types of cells in blood routine (the leukocyte system, the red blood cell system, and the platelet system) were detected. Results: After reinfusion treatment, all four patients showed good tolerance to allogeneic Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. Their biochemical markers of liver, kidney and heart functions, such as transaminase, creatinine and creatine kinase and the cell counts of three types of cells in blood routine showed no significant difference before and after reinfusion. Proportions of Tfh1, Tc1, CD127+ TEM, HLADR+CD8+ T cells, CD27-B cells increased, which indicated the enhancement of specific immunity. Conclusion: Allogeneic Vγ9Vδ2 T cell therapy for advanced HCC exhibits a good safety profile and can, to a certain extent, boost the patient's immune function.