Dendritic cells were first identified in 1973 by Ralph Steinman and Zanvil Cohn. Their groundbreaking discovery revealed that these cells play a pivotal role in initiating and regulating the adaptive immune response. Steinman’s pioneering work on dendritic cells earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2011.
Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells within the mammalian immune system. Their primary function involves processing antigen material and presenting it on their surface to T-cells, thereby acting as a crucial bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems.
In dendritic cell therapy, dendritic cells are harvested from the patient and exposed to tumor-specific antigens in a controlled laboratory setting. This process "educates" the dendritic cells to recognize cancer cells. Once reintroduced into the patient's body, these primed dendritic cells stimulate T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells more effectively.
Dendritic cell therapy has been explored for various cancer types, including:
Treatment with dendritic cells in Germany is often used when conventional therapies have not been successful. This was demonstrated, for example, in the case of prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, kidney carcinoma, glioblastoma, and brain stem tumors. Vaccination with dendritic cells is the most promising.
The effectiveness of dendritic cell therapy varies depending on the cancer type and individual patient factors. While some studies have reported enhanced immune responses and prolonged survival, others have shown limited clinical benefits. For instance, in melanoma patients, the induction of immune responses to specific tumor-associated antigens has been more notable than direct clinical outcomes. Ongoing research aims to optimize dendritic cell-based interventions to achieve more consistent and substantial clinical benefits.
Dendritic cell vaccination, a form of immunotherapy, has not received full FDA approval for widespread use in the United States. However, there have been clinical trials and research studies exploring the efficacy and safety of dendritic cell vaccines for various conditions, particularly cancer.
While dendritic cell therapy for cancer and tumors shows promise in clinical trials for certain cancers, such as melanoma and prostate cancer, it has not yet met all the regulatory requirements for full FDA approval.
The cost of dendritic cell therapy varies based on factors such as the treatment center, the specific cancer being treated, and the individual patient’s treatment plan. In Germany, the cost typically ranges from €18,900 to €32,000.
In some cases, prices can start at €18,900 and may reach up to €149,000 when combined with other immunotherapies. It is essential for patients to consult with treatment centers to obtain accurate cost estimates tailored to their specific medical needs.
