Breast cancer treatment with dendritic cells in Germany
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- Treatment Outcomes of Traditional Approaches and Dendritic Cell Therapy
- When breast tumors are treated with dendritic cells
- Step-by-Step Process of Dendritic Cell Therapy
- Results of vaccination with dendritic cells in breast cancer
- How to undergo breast cancer treatment with dendritic cells in Germany
- Frequently asked questions of our patients
Breast cancer treatment with dendritic cells is a revolutionary immunotherapeutic approach based on the administration of a custom-made vaccine that activates the patient's own anti-cancer immunity. This innovative therapeutic method can significantly improve treatment outcomes at all stages of the disease. Even when metastases are removed (stage 4 breast cancer), the five-year survival rate reaches 90%, compared to only 30% with conventional treatments for metastatic cancer.
Dendritic cell vaccination also prevents early cancer recurrence and improves 10-year survival rates by up to 95%. This method is used in German clinics as part of comprehensive cancer treatment and regularly demonstrates high success rates.
This remarkable discovery of dendritic cell immunotherapy earned its discoverer, Ralph Steinmann, the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Treatment Outcomes of Traditional Approaches and Dendritic Cell Therapy
The standard breast cancer treatment protocol includes several established methods:
- Surgery (mastectomy or breast-conserving procedures) allows removal of the tumor, but cancer recurs in 5-10% of cases, and after breast-conserving surgery in 10-20% of cases.
- Radiation therapy is performed after surgical treatment and improves 10-year survival rates by 5-10%.
- Chemotherapy as part of comprehensive adjuvant therapy (curative therapy) increases 10-year survival rates by 5-10%. However, chemotherapy causes serious side effects, including nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and a weakened immune system, which cause up to 30% of patients to discontinue treatment.
- Hormone therapy is indicated for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. This treatment reduces the risk of cancer recurrence by 20-30% over 5-10 years. Side effects include menopausal symptoms and loss of bone density, which affects the quality of life in up to 50% of patients.
- Targeted therapy targets specific proteins such as HER2. In HER2-positive breast cancer, targeted therapy can improve survival rates by 30-40%, with treatment success depending on the subtype and stage of the cancer.
Dendritic cell therapy is a revolutionary advancement in cancer treatment because it provides remarkable efficacy with minimal side effects. Unlike chemotherapy, which has a widespread impact on healthy cells, dendritic cell therapy targets only cancer cells through "learned" immune responses. The most common side effects of dendritic cell therapy are mild and usually resolve within 24-48 hours.
The combination of conventional treatments with dendritic cell therapy shows particularly promising results. When administered after surgery, dendritic cell therapy reduces recurrence rates by up to 80% compared to surgery alone. The survival rate of patients treated with dendritic cell therapy in combination with standard treatment approaches is significantly higher than that of patients treated with classical protocols alone. In addition, dendritic cell therapy may be especially valuable when traditional treatments become less effective, such as when cancer develops resistance to hormone therapy or chemotherapy. German clinics have pioneered protocols that optimize the timing of dendritic cell therapy with other treatments, maximizing the synergistic effects while minimizing side effects.
When breast tumors are treated with dendritic cells
In breast cancer, advancements in treatment options have led to improved survival rates, consequently extending life expectancy for many cancer patients. Immunotherapy can start quite early, at clinical stages I-II:
- When the size of the primary tumor is up to 5 cm, and when the woman undergoes surgical treatment
- If only the axillary lymph nodes are affected
- In the absence of distant metastases
Breast tumors have long been considered non-immunogenic, so surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy were preferred. However, a growing number of modern clinical studies demonstrate a significant antitumor response after the administration of dendritic cells.
«German doctors often supplement the standard treatment protocol for early-stage breast cancer with DC vaccination, thus achieving better results.»
The second area of administering such vaccines is advanced cancer, including stage 4 cancer, especially in the development of resistance to hormonal drugs and chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant therapy and adjuvant dendritic cell therapy complement standard therapies. In such a clinical situation, immunotherapy is aimed at longer control of the disease: it prevents metastasizing and suppresses the growth of already existing distant metastases. An additional advantage is the absence of serious side effects typical of chemotherapy. Furthermore, a woman does not need to take the drug daily: the vaccine is administered only once.
Step-by-Step Process of Dendritic Cell Therapy
Dendritic cell therapy for breast cancer is an outpatient procedure. Before it begins, the woman visits the hospital several times:
- To make sure she has indications for this type of treatment. Immune therapy is most effective in women with tumors that express mutant p53 or Ki-67 and also have an HLA-A2 molecule on the surface. Immune therapy is also indicated for women with triple-negative cancer. Before starting a vaccination course, genetic analysis is performed to detect these changes.
- To donate blood, from which doctors will manufacture an individual anti-cancer vaccine. In German clinics, leukapheresis is carried out instead of the usual donation of whole blood. Leukapheresis is the isolation of leukocytes from the blood. Dendritic cells originate from a type of leukocytes, namely monocytes.
The dendritic cells are cultivated in the laboratory for several days. They are processed with growth factors and differentiation factors and "get acquainted" with tumor cells. Due to this, the future vaccine will consist of a large number of specialized dendritic cells trained to find and destroy the tumor in a particular patient.
The vaccine is administered subcutaneously, typically near the primary tumor location and regional lymph nodes to enhance immune response. The procedure is well-tolerated, with mild side effects such as local redness, soreness at the injection site, muscle pain, and headache.
The laboratory operates under the strict control of various organizations including the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) and the Paul Ehrlich Institute, as well as local regional councils in Germany that supervise the work directly. These regulatory requirements ensure the highest safety standards for vaccine production and patient care.
To gain deeper insights into dendritic cell therapy, we spoke with Professor Frank Gansauge, a leading expert in immunotherapy who has been developing and implementing dendritic cell treatments for over 22 years. As a surgeon who found his true calling in immunology, Prof. Gansauge has conducted numerous clinical trials demonstrating significant improvements in patient survival rates, particularly in gastrointestinal cancers. His approach combines established treatment methods with innovative immunotherapy techniques – dendritic cell vaccination.
Prof. Frank Gansauge's Revolutionary Approach: Combining Classical Treatments and Dendritic Cell Therapy
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Results of vaccination with dendritic cells in breast cancer
The use of dendritic cells in the treatment of breast cancer contributes to better control of the disease in the advanced stages or significantly reduces the risk of recurrence in the early stages. In cancer stages 1 and 2, the vaccine is administered after surgical removal of the tumor. This is enough to form a stable anti-cancer immunity. In the future, the body will independently renew the population of leukocytes responsible for the destruction of malignant cells. The woman will undergo regular follow-up examinations but will not need additional treatments.
«Regardless of the stage of breast cancer, up to 90% of women respond to the DC vaccine.»
In advanced breast cancer, dendritic cell vaccination is typically administered as a one-time treatment course. The immune system's response is remarkable – once activated, it maintains a lifelong memory against the specific type of cancer cells. After vaccination, a significant increase in the level of antigen-specific T-lymphocytes against cancer cells is detected in the blood of patients. This means that the immune system has saved information about the tumor and immediately destroys existing and new metastases. T-lymphocytes will be constantly present in the blood, ready to destroy any number of malignant cells. While the treatment may be repeated in rare cases, the initial immunization typically provides long-lasting protection, with the chance of prolonging life and achieving cancer control increasing by 80% through this sustained antitumor response.
The effectiveness of dendritic cell therapy is demonstrated by the experience of patients like Huda from Saudi Arabia, who received treatment at LDG Laboratories. In her complex case of breast cancer with subsequent lung metastases, she underwent successful dendritic cell therapy under Dr. Gansauge's supervision in December 2023. Her experience exemplifies how this innovative treatment can be effectively applied even in advanced cancer cases. The patient highlighted not only the medical excellence at LDG Laboratories but also praised the coordinated support provided by Booking Health, from treatment organization to practical assistance with travel arrangements and interpretation services throughout her medical journey.
How to undergo breast cancer treatment with dendritic cells in Germany
In most countries, women cannot receive DC therapy for breast cancer, as they are treated according to the standard therapeutic protocol. Germany offers a suitable alternative, where clinics actively use immunotherapy and administer individual anti-cancer vaccines at all stages of breast cancer. This innovative therapy, combined with other established treatments, improves prognosis for patients with metastatic disease and those seeking options beyond conventional approaches.
Leading cancer treatment clinics in Germany:
- LDG - Laboratories Dr. Gansauge, Berg. A pioneering facility with over 22 years of experience in dendritic cell therapy, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and outstanding treatment success rates. The clinic is distinguished by its personalized approach and innovative research in immunotherapy.
- IOZK Immuno-Oncology Center in Cologne. Specializing in immunological therapies for various types of cancer.
- Praxisgemeinschaft für Zelltherapie Duderstadt. Known for its comprehensive approach to cancer treatment.
The cost of dendritic cell therapy in Germany ranges from 20,000 to 38,000 euros, depending on the combination with other services and individual treatment needs.
You can find information about specialized healthcare facilities through Booking Health, a company that has been facilitating cancer treatment in Germany for more than 12 years. Their services include:
- Expert consultation on treatment options and clinic selection
- Priority appointment scheduling with leading specialists
- Favorable cost arrangements (savings of up to 50% on treatment costs)
- Comprehensive treatment program development
- Direct communication with medical staff
- Treatment cost optimization
- Interpreter services
- Medical document translation
- Travel and accommodation arrangements
- Post-treatment support and follow-up care coordination
For detailed information about treatment options and costs, you can submit a request through the Booking Health website to receive a personalized consultation from a medical coordinator.
Frequently asked questions of our patients
Dendritic cell therapy for breast cancer involves using the patient's dendritic cells to create a targeted immune response against cancer cells. These modified cells help the immune system recognize and attack breast cancer cells more effectively, potentially improving outcomes and reducing recurrence.
The benefits include personalized treatment, minimal side effects, and the potential for long-term remission. This therapy can be particularly effective for patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, offering a new avenue of hope when traditional treatments have failed.
While generally safe, some risks include mild side effects like fever and fatigue. Rarely, patients may experience more severe immune reactions. It is crucial to have the therapy administered in specialized clinics under the supervision of experienced professionals.
Results can vary; some patients may see improvements within a few weeks, while others may take several months. Continuous monitoring and follow-up are essential to assess the effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Dendritic Cell Innovation: Cancer Treatment with Booking Health
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Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
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Dendritic cell therapy in cancer treatment in Germany - Vaccination against cancer
Immunotherapy for breast cancer in Germany
