Prostate cancer – A comprehensive overview and treatment options
Treatment options for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Europe. The choice of treatment depends on several factors: the stage of the tumor, its aggressiveness (Gleason score), the PSA level, possible metastasis, and the patient's general state of health.
Thanks to modern diagnostics and a wide range of treatment options—from active surveillance to surgery and radiation to innovative dendritic cell therapies—treatment can be tailored to the individual patient.
Traditional treatment options
for prostate cancer
1. Active surveillance/watchful waiting
In early, slow-growing tumor stages, close monitoring may be advisable.
Regular PSA checks, MRIs, and biopsies determine the further course of action.
2. Surgery (radical prostatectomy)
The goal is to completely remove the prostate.
Surgery is often used for locally confined tumors and, depending on the technique, can be performed in a nerve-sparing manner.
3. Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
Radiation therapy is used:
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for locally confined prostate cancer
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after surgery for residual tumor
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for pain management for bone metastases
Modern techniques (IMRT, IGRT) enable more precise radiation.
4. Hormone deprivation therapy (ADT)
Since prostate cancer grows in a hormone-dependent manner, androgen deprivation is often performed.
Goals:
Block or reduce testosterone
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Slow tumor growth
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These include:
LHRH analogues
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Anti-hormones
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Ovarian/testicular suppression
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5. Chemotherapy
In advanced stages or in cases of metastasis, cytostatic drugs such as docetaxel are used.
These have a systemic effect throughout the body.
6. Modern targeted therapies
These include:
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PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutations
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CDK4/6 or PI3K-dependent strategies for molecular changes
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Immunomodulatory drugs in selected cases
Dendritic cell therapy – modern immunotherapy for prostate cancer
Dendritic cell therapy is a personalized immunotherapy that aims to activate the patient's immune system specifically against tumor cells.
How does dendritic cell therapy work?
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Blood sample taken from the patient
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Isolation of monocytes
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Cultivation and differentiation into dendritic cells
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Loading with tumor antigens (e.g., tumor lysate or defined antigens)
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Maturation into highly active dendritic cells
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Injection into the patient
The dendritic cells act as “conductors” of the immune system and present tumor characteristics so that T cells are specifically activated against cancer cells.
Combination of conventional therapy and DZT
Many patients benefit from combined therapeutic approaches, e.g.:
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DZT + hormone therapy (ADT)→ Can support the immune response.
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DZT + infusion-based immune system support (e.g., glutathione, selenium, artesunate, resveratrol)→ Strengthening of the immune system during stressful therapies.
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DZT + local procedures, e.g., cryoablation for individual tumor sites
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DZT + modern systemic therapies for genetic mutations or metastatic progression
The goal of DZT for prostate cancer
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Activation of tumor-targeted immune cells
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Support for the recognition of cancer cells
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Reduction of tumor burden (varies individually)
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Stabilization of the immune system
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Improvement of disease control
The therapy is individually tailored and can also be a complementary approach in metastatic diseases.
Dendritic cell therapy is a patient-specific immunological approach.
No promises of a cure are made.