Transplantation of human embryonic liver cells for treatment of reactions of hemopoietic system on irradiation in patients with cervical carcinoma

Smikodub A.I., Snigyr N.V., Radzievskaya L.V., Bendyug G.D., Ivankova V.S.

Cell Therapy Clinic of National Medical University, and "EmCell" Embryonic Tissues Center, Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology

Treatment of common forms of cervical carcinoma with radical programs of integrated radiotherapy (IRT) with the use of radiomodifying chemopreparations results in an increase in the frequency of radiation reactions of the hematopoietic system.

In this study, cryopreserved human embryonic liver (FL) cells of 10 to 12 weeks of gestation were used to correct hematological changes and immune depression caused by irradiation.

25 patients with stage III cervical carcinoma, and 2 patients with stages III and IV uterus carcinoma with histologically verified tumoral process were observed. Transplantation of FL cells was carried out during IRT, in cases of development of hematological complications: leukopenia in 22 patients and anemia in 15 patients.

Administration of cells was not associated with any additional reactions. After the transplantation, the decrease of manifestation of general radiation reactions (decrease of weakness, improvement of appetite) was observed in 18 female patients (64.29 %).

As for peripheral blood counts, leukocytes increased by the 7th - 15th day in 17 of 22 patients (p<0.05). Normalization of this parameter was not reported. Despite continued irradiation, cell transplantation resulted in stabilization of leukocytes count at the higher level than that prior to transplantation. In patients with anemia, an increase in erythrocytes counts and hemoglobin was observed by the 15th - 30 day (p<0.05). In 5 patients with anemia, these parameters normalized after 1 month.

The tendency for increase of quantitative parameters of cell immunity 2 weeks after transplantation of FL cells was also observed. An increase of total lymphocytes, absolute lymphocytes of CD3+, CD19+, CD4+, and CD8+ phenotypes was reported. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio did not change. Relative and absolute counts of NK cells increased; the tendency to increase of this parameter was also maintained upon completion of IRT. Indices of humoral immunity (level of immune complexes, concentration of class A, M, G serum immunoglobulins) have not changed significantly.

Thus, transplantation of human FL cells to patients with cervical carcinoma during IRT resulted in improvement of the general condition, peripheral blood counts and cell immunity, and promoted better toleration of treatment.