Dendritic cell treatment is a fascinating and promising area of immunotherapy with the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in the immune system functioning by presenting tumor antigens to other immune cells, such as T-cells, and activating them to recognize and attack those antigens. In oncology, these cells can be utilized to train the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells more effectively.

Who is the candidate for dendritic cell therapy?

The goal of dendritic cell therapy is to stimulate the patient’s immune system to recognize cancer cells as foreign and eliminate them effectively. It’s often used as part of a complex therapeutic scheme, sometimes in combination with chemotherapy, radiation, or immune checkpoint inhibitors.

This is a form of personalized treatment that can potentially benefit a wide range of cancer patients. However, candidacy for this therapy can depend on several factors:

• Cancer type. Dendritic cell therapy has been studied across various types of cancer, including melanoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and others. Research often focuses on cancers that have specific identifiable antigens, which the immune system can target. If a tumor has no unique molecules, it will be hard for the immunity to find it.
• Stage of cancer. Dendritic cell immunotherapy is indicated for patients with advanced cancer who are not responding to standard treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other classical methods.
• Patient health status. Generally, patients who have a better overall health status and a stronger immune system might respond better to dendritic cell therapy. However, eligibility criteria can vary based on individual patient characteristics and the specific treatment protocol.
• Availability of tumor antigens. Dendritic cell therapy relies on identifying specific antigens present in the patient’s tumor cells that can be targeted by the immune system. If there is no malignant tissue available (e.g. a tumor is removed long ago), it will be impossible to manufacture the individual vaccine.

How is dendritic cell therapy carried out?

Cancer treatment with dendritic cells is an outpatient procedure that requires only a few hospital visits:

1. Collection of dendritic cells. Dendritic cells are usually obtained from a patient’s blood through a process called leukapheresis. During this process, the blood components are separated to isolate the dendritic cells. Unused blood components are returned to the patient to avoid causing anemia.
2. Processing and activation. The isolated dendritic cells are then cultured and exposed to antigens specific to the patient’s tumor. These antigens can be obtained from the patient or synthesized in the laboratory to resemble tumor antigens.
3. Training dendritic cells. By exposing dendritic cells to these specific antigens in the laboratory, they are “trained” to recognize and process cancer-related antigens.
4. Stimulation of the immune response. Once activated and acquainted with the specific tumor antigens, modified dendritic cells are reintroduced into the patient’s body through injections, typically intravenously or subcutaneously.
5. Immune response activation. The dendritic cell vaccine interacts with other immune cells, particularly T-cells, presenting the cancer-specific antigens. This triggers a strong immune response, where the activated T-cells recognize and attack cancer cells bearing those antigens.

Although the procedure is usually well tolerated, the patient remains under medical supervision for a few hours and receives additional intravenous vitamin infusions and symptomatic medications.

What to do if dendritic cells are not available in my hospital?

Clinical trials and research continue to explore the efficacy of dendritic cell therapy across various cancers and patient populations. While it has shown promise in some cases, its effectiveness can vary depending on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the specific antigens used, and individual patient characteristics. Thus, immunotherapy with DCs is now not a part of the conventional therapeutic protocol.

You can use Booking Health as a service to facilitate your access to dendritic cell therapy or any other diagnostics or treatment in Germany. Here’s how Booking Health typically works:

• Booking Health provides assistance by coordinating appointments, arranging medical consultations, and organizing treatment plans with reputable hospitals and specialists in Germany.
• Booking Health can help you explore treatment options, including dendritic cell therapy for breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc., by connecting you with appropriate clinics that offer this specific treatment for an affordable price.
• Booking Health assists with travel, accommodation, visa applications, interpreting services, and providing information about the estimated costs associated with treatment.
• Booking Health ensures smooth communication, organizing medical records, and supporting patients throughout the treatment process.