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Immunotherapy is one of the most revolutionary cancer control methods invented in the 21st century. It consists of using the natural defences of the body to suppress and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy has proved to be particularly effective in the treatment of tumours in advanced stages that cannot be destroyed in other ways.
A type of immunotherapy that is actively studied in foreign clinics is dendritic cell therapy. In combination with other methods of treatment, it shows promising results, without the typical side effects.
To find out more about dendritic cell immunotherapy, how it works, when it is used and which centres you can go to for treatment, read our article.
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What is Dendritic Cell Therapy (DCT)?
Dendritic cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy. It uses one of the subtypes of the human immune system – dendritic cells – to activate the body to combat the cancerous process.
Dendritic cell therapy has been used in medicine since 2010. Over 4,500 people have undergone it since then. It is effectively used in the treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, glioma and other cancers.
During the procedure, the doctor extracts the necessary cells from human blood. In a specialized laboratory, they are manipulated, which allows them to target the patient’s malignancy. The dendritic cells are then injected into the human body in the form of a special vaccine.
Like other immune therapies, DCT is not used as an independent treatment method. Doctors prescribe it together with a course of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or different immune therapy. The combined effect of several drugs significantly increases the efficiency of treatment by 2-3 times for some types of cancer.
Compared to other forms of combined immunotherapy, dendritic cell vaccination (DCV) is easily tolerated by patients and does not cause side effects.
Dendritic cell vaccination is a method of personalized treatment of severe oncology.
How do dendritic cells work?
Dendritic cells were discovered by American immunologist Ralph Steinman in the 1970s. In 2011, he won the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology.
Dendritic cells are the main component of the vaccine. Precursor cells are extracted from the patient’s blood. They can find, recognize and absorb pathogens.
In the human body, dendritic cells are one of the most common protective agents. They’re found in blood, skin, mucous membranes. If a pathogenic agent appears in the body – be it a bacteria, a virus or a cancer cell – dendritic cells are among the first to activate a defensive reaction.
Dendritic cells can protect the body in several ways. First, they activate the immune system by attracting other protective cells to the source of infection or the cancer process. Secondly, they play a key role in the formation of T- and B cells – “special forces” and “infantry” of human immunity. By absorbing the pathogenic agent, the dendritic cell “teaches” the body to recognize and attack cells that pose a threat to the health. This triggers a global immune process through which the body can fully overcome the disease on its own. However, cancer can resist such protection.
Read: How does immunity counteract cancer?
Dendritic cells are often found next to cancerous tumours as a natural reaction of the body. Immune system views cancer as a threat to be eliminated. However, the tumour has special mechanisms to counteract the body’s defence. Thanks to them, it can “hide” from immunity, and even attract immune cells for its protection. That is why cancer is so dangerous for humans and difficult to treat.
This protection system works particularly well with aggressive, inoperable cancers. These are tumours that grow rapidly, metastasize, and relapse. The usual methods of treatment – surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy – often prove to be ineffective.
However, thanks to innovations of the 21st century, doctors manage to outwit cancer. Chemotherapy, radio- and immunotherapy do not only damage cancer cells, but also weaken their defence mechanisms. Thanks to this, the immune system can activate and overcome the disease on its own. This is what happens during dendritic cell therapy.
The process of creating a dendritic cell vaccine
| 1 | The doctor extracts a blood sample and some cancer tissue from the patient. |
| 2 | Immature precursor cells are selected from the blood. With the help of special procedures, they are grown in the laboratory. |
| 3 | The formed dendritic cells are placed in the same environment as cancerous tissues. They learn to recognize exactly the exact kind of cancer the patient is suffering from. |
| 4 | 2-3 weeks after the blood was taken, the vaccine is ready. Dendritic cells activate the immune system to fight the tumour. |
Results from the treatment can be expected within 3 months. The full effect of dendritic cell therapy is detected after 6-9 months.
What types of cancer are treated with dendritic cell therapy?
Breast Cancer;
Uterine cancer;
Prostate cancer;
Glioblastoma;
Melanoma;
Sarcoma;
Mesothelioma;
Pancreatic cancer;
Oesophageal cancer;
Intestinal Cancer;
Colorectal cancer;
Liver cancer;
Renal cancer.
The efficiency of dendritic cell immunotherapy
Strengthening of immunity – 100%
Cancer cell destruction – 60%
Reduced resistance to cancer therapy – 60%
Reduced relapse risk – 70%
What kind of active research is being done?
Dendritic cell therapy is a new and promising method for cancer treatment. Many clinical trials are being conducted. With their help, doctors determine therapy protocols – which patients, with what diagnosis, in what quantity should take the drug. Also, it is very promising to study the combination of different methods of treatment.
To participate in the trials, the patient must meet the research criteria. They usually include the patient’s age, type and stage of cancer, and previous treatments. Also, the patient undergoes tests to ensure that the method is safe for them.
This perspective will be particularly interesting for patients with resistant forms of cancer that cannot be treated by traditional oncology methods. Most medical studies are aimed at this group of patients.
To find a research program, you should consult your physician. He or she will be able to recommend centres where cancer patients go. Many university clinics in Europe, Asia and the Middle East conduct ongoing cancer research.
Some of the biggest research being done:
Use of dendritic cell therapy in combination with other immune therapy to treat melanoma with metastases;
Use of dendritic cell therapy, pneumococcal vaccine and radiotherapy to treat inoperable liver cancer;
Use of dendritic cell therapy and immunotherapy after cryotherapy to treat inoperable melanoma;
Use of dendritic cell therapy after bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Which clinics provide dendritic cell therapy?
Several dendritic cell vaccines have already received FDA approval and are used in cancer therapy abroad. Treatment is available at clinics such as:
Resume
Dendritic cell therapy (DCT) is a type of immunotherapy used to treat severe forms of cancer.
The advantage of dendritic cell therapy is the high efficiency with little to none side effects, compared to other methods of cancer treatment.
Dendritic cell vaccination (DCV) is used in combination with other treatment methods – chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy. The vaccine increases the effectiveness of treatment by 2-3 times.
For dendritic cell immunotherapy, you can apply to medical centres of China, Spain and Israel.
The most effective treatment of severe cancers is provided in specialized cancer centres around the world. If you have any questions about dendritic cell therapy or want to undergo treatment at a foreign clinic, click on the “Get a free consultation” button. Our coordination physicians will call you back on the phone number you left, answer all your questions and help you organize your flight and treatment.
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