From cholecystitis to bile duct cancer, this cancer "accomplice" is lurking around you

Inflammation basis: Mr. Luan, 63 years old, had a history of recurrent chronic cholecystitis before being diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

Canceration signals: In March 2022, he suddenly developed a high fever (39.5℃), initially diagnosed as EB virus infection, and continued to have intermittent fever after treatment .

Diagnosed with cancer: On May 7, 2022, PET-CT indicated : a soft tissue density mass in the hepatic hilum region with abnormal increased radioactive uptake, with a relatively large concentration range on PET of approximately 3.5cmX3.1cm, conventional imaging SUVmax18.1, delayed imaging SUVmax20.6, accompanied by intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. Several lymph nodes with increased radioactive uptake were observed in the hepatic hilum region, between the portal and cavernous veins, and between the liver and pancreas. The largest one measured approximately 2.2cm x 1.5cm.

Treatment process: Mr. Luan underwent surgical treatment on May 24, 2022. Postoperative pathology revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the common bile duct, with dimensions of 4.3×3×2.5cm; several nodules were observed in the lymph nodes of the hepatoduodenal ligament. The staging was pT2aN1. Immunohistochemical results: EGFR (3+), HER2 (0), KI67 (80%+), , MLH1 (+), MSH2 (+), MSH6 (+), pan-TRK (-), PD-L1 (22C3) (CPS=8), PMS2 (+).

Postoperatively, the patient underwent six courses of chemotherapy, and has been regularly taking Dacogen since July 2022. In December 2022, the patient began receiving single-agent Erica immunotherapy, with one course every 21 days. In January 2023, the patient developed intrahepatic metastatic lesions, and underwent thermal ablation therapy.

1. Rapid and potent killing ability:

vNKT cells stand out for their rapid and efficient killing ability. They can quickly recognize and attack tumor cells, with a killing speed and capability far exceeding that of general NK cells and T cells. In addition, the CD8-positive characteristic on the surface of vNKT cells endows them with stronger cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity, making them more advantageous in cancer treatment.

2.  Enhancing the overall function of the immune system:

vNKT cell therapy can activate and enhance the patient's own immune system, improving the body's ability to monitor tumors. This overall enhancement of the immune system helps prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis in the long term after treatment, providing patients with continuous anti-tumor protection.

# vNKT cell immunotherapy              

NKT cells (Natural killer T cells), are a special T cell subset with both T cell receptor (TCR) and NK cell receptor on their surface. They possess important characteristics of both NK cells and T cells, with the dual ability to recognize tumor cells nonspecifically and specifically, and can rapidly kill tumor cells. Among the NKT cell subsets, there is a larger and more potent special soldier, which was discovered by the experimental team led by Professor Zhang Minghui of Tsinghua University, namely the vNKT (Variant Natural Killer T) cells.

The population of vNKT cells in the body is very small and they are not easily activated. However, once activated, they can effectively eliminate those tumor cells that may remain undetected in the body. Additionally, research has found that vNKT cells exhibit dual anti-tumor effects. Not only can they directly kill cancer cells, but they can also regulate the immune microenvironment within tumor tissues, kill inhibitory immune cells known as MDSCs, break down tumor immune evasion, rebuild the normal immune system, and further prevent recurrence and metastasis.              

             

Experimental conditions: In the presence of vNKT cells, after 16 hours, nearly all B16 tumor cells were killed!

Mr. Luan began vNKT cell immunotherapy on February 24, 2023, with one course/month, and by December 12, 2024, 21 courses had been completed. Through individualized vNKT cell immunotherapy, the condition is stable with no recurrence.