Dendritic cells are poised to revolutionize oncology. This type of immune therapy shows effectiveness even in late-stage cancer, can be successfully combined with virtually all cancer treatments, leads to the reduction of the initial tumor and metastases, and extends survival. As immunotherapy with dendritic cells continuously advances, significant improvements in treating adavnced-stage cancer patients are anticipated.
Understanding Dendritic Cells
Dendritic cells represent a specialized group of antigen-presenting cells with remarkable functional plasticity. Their capabilities include both stimulation and modulation of immunity, depending on environmental factors that influence their maturation and differentiation. These cells comprise just 1% of total immune cells yet play a crucial role in immune response and recognition.
Different types exist, including lymphoid, plasmacytoid, myeloid, monocyte-derived, and Langerhans cells. While lymphoid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells maintain immune tolerance by regulating immune responses, other types focus on immune system activation. These cells serve as frontline defenders, encountering foreign agents first, says ScienceDirect. Upon encountering antigens, they migrate to lymph nodes, release cytokines, and stimulate NK, B- and T-cells. In cancer conditions, dendritic cell activity diminishes, representing one mechanism of immune evasion.
Treatment Principles and Process
Dendritic cells function as personalized cancer vaccines. In cancer patients, immune responses to tumors remain weak, with poor targeting of a neoplasm due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. However, extracting dendritic cells, training them for antigen recognition, and reintroducing them enables enhanced immune system activation against cancer.
The treatment procedure follows these steps:
- Collection of 100ml blood from the patient
- Blood processing in nutrient medium, centrifugation, mononuclear cell isolation, and viability assessment
- Monocyte separation
- Monocyte differentiation to dendritic cells in serum-free medium, with growth factors added on days 1, 3, and 5
- Introduction of tumor-specific antigens for dendritic cell activation on day 7, along with growth and differentiation factors
Following two days of incubation, mature dendritic cells undergo collection, centrifugation, and washing with human albumin solution, according to the experts. The resulting mature cells become ready for injection, with unused portions preserved for future treatments.
After vaccine injection, dendritic cells migrate to lymph nodes, where they encounter T-cells for antigen presentation, initiating anti-tumor immune responses through enhanced receptor stimulation.
Proven Effectiveness and Future Prospects
Research supports the efficacy of certain dendritic cell-based treatments. A significant milestone occurred in 2010 with the approval of Provenge (Dendreon, USA), the world’s first dendritic cell immunotherapy vaccine, fighting prostate cancer through PAP receptor targeting. Subsequently, numerous treatments for various tumors have emerged, showing promising results in clinical trials despite pending approvals.
Dozens of dendritic cell-based vaccines are currently under development, primarily targeting late-stage cancers. While many innovative treatments await approval, patients with advanced-stage cancer can access dendritic cell therapy through specialized international clinics.
For those interested in dendritic cell treatment, Booking Health provides comprehensive support services. The platform offers access to pricing information, clinic selection assistance, treatment scheduling, and complete travel arrangements for international medical care.
This revolutionary approach to cancer treatment continues to evolve, with ongoing research revealing new mechanisms for immune system modulation and enhanced tumor targeting. As understanding of dendritic cell biology advances, treatment protocols become increasingly sophisticated, offering hope for patients with limited therapeutic options.
