Post-operative recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer

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Patient Profile:

Female, 36 years old, Hospitalization No. 35799

October 2006, patient underwent a modified radical mastectomy for left breast cancer at a local cancer hospital. Postoperatively, she received 4 cycles of TA chemotherapy.

June 13, 2007, a mass was found in the left supraclavicular region, and fine needle aspiration at an outside hospital indicated metastasis to the left supraclavicular lymph nodes.

June 18, 2007 admitted to our centre for treatment.

 
Diagnosis & Treatment History:

Pathological Diagnosis:
Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the left breast, partly clear cell carcinoma, partly medullary carcinoma, with vascular invasion.

Immunohistochemistry results:

  • ER (+)
  • PR (±)
  • C-ERBB-2 (+++)
  • CA15-3 (++)

23 July 2007 PET/CT Examination Report

Diagnostic Impression:

  • Extensive recurrence of tumor in the left chest wall.
  • Diffuse metastases in both lungs, with bilateral pleural metastases and moderate pleural effusion.
  • Multiple lymph node metastases in the bilateral supraclavicular regions, left axilla, bilateral hila, and mediastinum.
  • Multiple bone metastases throughout the body.   

 

Treatment Approach:

July 26, 2007, the patient received the first—possibly the nationwide first—course of allogeneic CIK (Cytokine-Induced Killer) cell therapy derived from a healthy donor.

July 27, 2007, the patient’s mental state and physical strength had markedly improved. Coughing was significantly reduced and she was able to rest well.

After completion of treatment, the patient responded remarkably: coughing resolved, sleep improved, appetite increased.

The patient was discharged in good condition at the end of July 2007.

 

Outcome:

Subsequent imaging demonstrated significant disease regression:

  • All pulmonary and pleural metastases had disappeared.
  • Mediastinal metastases had nearly completely resolved.
  • The left chest wall tumor had largely disappeared, with markedly reduced metabolic activity, indicating strong therapeutic effect.
  • Bilateral pleural effusions had completely resolved.
  • Metastatic lesions in the supraclavicular, axillary, hilar, and mediastinal lymph nodes had essentially disappeared.

 

Conclusion

This case represents the first documented use of allogeneic CIK cell therapy from a healthy donor for recurrent and metastatic breast cancer. The patient exhibited dramatic clinical and radiological remission, with resolution of systemic metastases and substantial improvement in quality of life. This suggests that allogeneic CIK therapy may hold promising therapeutic potential for advanced, treatment-refractory malignancies.