Dendritic cell therapy -
Colorectal cancer (colon carcinoma)
Conventional treatments & modern immunotherapy
​
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Europe. Treatment depends on the size of the tumor, its location, lymph node involvement, metastasis, and molecular characteristics.
In addition to established conventional medical therapies, immunological procedures are increasingly being used, including dendritic cell therapy (DCT).
Classic treatment options for colorectal cancer
1. Surgery – the main form of treatment
In most cases, surgical removal of the tumor is the most important treatment.
Depending on the location, part of the intestine, including the lymph nodes, is removed.
Typical procedures:
-
Hemicolectomy (right/left)
-
Sigmoid resection
-
Rectal resection
-
Partial resections for locally confined tumors
Goal: complete tumor removal and restoration of intestinal continuity.
​
2. Chemotherapy
Adjuvant (after surgery) or palliative chemotherapy is used when:
-
Lymph nodes are affected
-
There is a high risk of recurrence
-
Metastases are already present
Common regimens:
-
FOLFOX
-
FOLFIRI
-
Capecitabine-based therapies
Chemotherapy is intended to combat remaining tumor cells and prolong life.
​
3. Radiotherapy (especially for rectal cancer)
Radiochemotherapy is an integral part of the treatment for rectal cancer.
Objectives:
-
Reduce tumor size
-
Lower risk of recurrence
-
Improve surgical results
Radiation therapy is rarely used for colon cancer.
4. Targeted therapies
Modern drugs specifically target tumor signaling pathways:
-
EGFR inhibitors for RAS wild type
-
VEGF inhibitors (bevacizumab)
-
BRAF inhibitors for BRAF mutations
-
HER2 therapies for rare HER2-positive cases
These therapies are usually combined with chemotherapy.
5. Immune checkpoint inhibitors
In rare tumors with MSI-high or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), immunotherapies such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab show very good efficacy.
Dendritic cell therapy – a modern immunological approach
​
Dendritic cell therapy (DZT) is a patient-specific immunotherapy that aims to activate the immune system specifically against tumor cells.
​
DCT procedure
-
Blood collection
-
Isolation of monocytes
-
Cultivation and differentiation into dendritic cells
-
Loading with tumor antigens (e.g., tumor lysate or specific antigens)
-
Maturation into functionally active dendritic immune cells
-
Reintroduction via intradermal injections
Dendritic cells are the most important antigen-presenting cells in the immune system.
They show T cells what tumor cells look like, thereby triggering a targeted immune response.
DZT as a supplement to conventional cancer therapy
Dendritic cell therapy can be used as a complementary approach, especially:
-
after completion of chemotherapy
-
during accompanying infusion or immune-boosting therapies
-
in metastatic cases for immune stabilization
-
in patients who respond well to immune procedures
​
Common combinations:
• DZT + chemotherapy
Reduces tumor mass → facilitates antigen recognition.
​
• DZT + targeted therapies
For RAS wild type, BRAF, or other mutations.
• DZT + immune-boosting infusions
e.g., glutathione, resveratrol, artesunate, selenium
→ strengthens antioxidant systems and immune performance.
• DZT + local procedures
e.g., ablation, ozone therapy as complementary measures.
Therapeutic goals of DZT in colon cancer
Activation of tumor-targeted T cells
-
Improvement of immune surveillance
-
Support of conventional therapy
-
Stabilization of the immune system during stressful treatments
-
Complementary option for maintaining quality of life
-
The individual response depends heavily on the tumor type, immune status, and course of therapy.
Dendritic cell therapy is a patient-specific immunological approach.
No promises of a cure are made.