Autologous NK cells as consolidation therapy following stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma
Hareth Nahi, Michael Chrobok, Stephan Meinke, Charlotte Gran, Nicole Marquardt, Gabriel Afram, Tolga Sütlü, Mari Gilljam, Birgitta Stellan, Arnika Kathleen Wagner, Pontus Blomberg, Per-Henrik Holmqvist, Lilian Walther–Jallow, Karin Mellström, Johan Liwing, Charlotte Gustafsson, Robert Månsson, Monika Klimkowska, Gösta Gahrton, Johan Lund, Per Ljungman, Hans‐Gustaf Ljunggren, Evren Alici
Abstract
activated and expanded autologous NK cells in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) post-autologous stem cell transplantation. Infused NK cells were detected in circulation up to 4 weeks after the last infusion. Elevations in plasma granzyme B levels were observed following each consecutive NK cell infusion. Moreover, increased granzyme B levels were detected in bone marrow 4 weeks after the last infusion. All measurable patients had objective, detectable responses after NK cell infusions in terms of reduction in M-component and/or minimal residual disease. The present study demonstrates that autologous NK cell-based immunotherapy is feasible in a setting of MM consolidation therapy. It opens up the possibility for usage of autologous NK cells in clinical settings where patients are not readily eligible for allogeneic NK cell-based immunotherapies.