How do dendritic cells work?
 

1. They patrol the body and search for abnormalities.

2. If they find tumor cells or fragments thereof, they absorb them.

3. They break down the tumor components into small antigen fragments.

4. They present these antigens on their surface.

5. They then activate important immune cells, in particular T helper cells (CD4) and cytotoxic T cells (CD8).

6. This triggers a targeted immune response against tumor cells.

 

Without dendritic cells, the body is often unable to adequately recognize cancer cells, as they camouflage themselves or are hardly perceived as “foreign.”

 

Dendritic cell therapy (DZT) – How does this modern immunotherapy work?

Dendritic cell therapy is one of the most innovative forms of personalized immunotherapy. Its goal is to restore the immune system's ability to recognize and fight tumor cells in a targeted manner.

 

Dendritic cells play a key role in this process—they are the “conductors” of the immune system. No other type of cell is so crucially responsible for whether a cancer cell is recognized as dangerous and whether an effective immune response is triggered.

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How is dendritic cell therapy produced?

The therapy is based exclusively on the body's own cells (autologous), which makes it particularly well tolerated.

It is produced in several precise steps:

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1. Blood collection from the patient

Approximately 150–200 ml of whole blood is collected. This serves as the starting material for the immunological cells.

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2. Isolation of monocytes

In the laboratory, the monocytes (precursors of dendritic cells) are filtered out of the blood.

This is done using special separation techniques.

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3. Cultivation and conversion into dendritic cells

The isolated monocytes are cultivated over several days. During this process, they transform into immature dendritic cells.

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4. Loading with tumor antigens

This step is the core of the therapy:

 

The dendritic cells are loaded with individual tumor antigens, e.g.:

Tumor lysate from tumor tissue

Circulating tumor antigens

Defined antigens from mutations or surface signatures

 

This teaches them precisely which tumor cells in the body need to be fought.

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5. Maturation into activated dendritic cells

Special stimuli are used to activate the cells. In this state, they can optimally activate T cells.

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6. Return to the body (application)

The finished dendritic cells are injected into the patient. They then migrate to the lymph nodes and initiate immune activation there.

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What does the therapy do in the body?

 

After reintroduction, the dendritic cells begin to:

• Present tumor antigens to T helper cells (CD4+)

• Activate cytotoxic T cells (CD8+)

• to strengthen immune responses against tumors

• to make the tumor cells “visible” again

• to trigger a targeted immune response

 

This provides the body with precise, biological instructions to attack tumor cells that may have previously gone undetected.

For which types of cancer is DZT used?

Worldwide, dendritic cell therapy is primarily used for solid tumors, including:

• Breast cancer

• Prostate cancer

• Lung cancer

• Colorectal cancer (colon & rectum)

• Liver metastases

• Renal cell carcinoma

• Pancreatic carcinoma

• Ovarian cancer

• Brain tumors (e.g., glioblastoma)

• Skin cancer (melanoma)

• CLL—chronic lymphocytic leukemia

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

 

It is particularly useful:

• in metastatic diseases

• in cases of drug resistance

• after a lack of response to standard therapies

• in combination with integrative biological therapies

• to stabilize the immune system after chemotherapy or radiation

Advantages of dendritic cell therapy

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Uses only the body's own cells

• Very good tolerability

• Targeted activation of T cells

• Individualized tumor immunotherapy

• Can be combined with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological infusions

• Repeatable

• Realistic option for advanced diseases

Combination therapies (optional)

 

Many patients also use the following as a supplement:

• Glutathione

• Selenium

• Resveratrol

• Artesunate

• Ozone therapy

• ImmuSeroForte / Immunomodulators

 

These combinations can further support immune activity.

The information on dendritic cell therapy presented on this website is for medical education purposes only and does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.